In brief
Jean-Claude Silbermann, the last Surrealist and former acolyte of André Breton, reflects on his life and art as he exhibits his works at the Independent Art Fair. An introspective figure, he highlights Surrealism as a mindset of rebellion and creative expression.
Jean-Claude Silbermann has a story steeped in history and creativity. The now-90-year-old artist first encountered André Breton, the head of the Surrealist movement, outside a Paris café at just 18. Without hesitation, he declared himself a Surrealist, captivated by the movement’s essence of rebellion and creativity. Born in Boulogne-Billancourt, Silbermann left his family’s hat-making business behind to chase his passion for poetry and soon found himself hitchhiking across Europe, living a whimsically nomadic life. His artistic journey included reading palms to make ends meet. Eventually, pressure from his father pulled him into the family business, but it stifled his spirit, causing significant anxiety. His encounter with Breton reignited his passion for poetry and painting, which still play monumental roles in his life today. At the Independent Art Fair, Silbermann is sharing his enigmatic artworks, celebrating a Surrealist ethos that he believes continues to shape the world.
