René Magritte lecture series

Delve into the history of artist René Magritte and discover his philosophy, influences and relationships in this four-part lecture series in association with the exhibition Magritte at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

From Magritte’s beginnings in Brussels and his first surrealist paintings to his iconic images of apples, hats and pipes, gain an in-depth understanding of Magritte as a painter. The role of the painter, as he saw it, was to create pictures of ideas – best portrayed by images of things we have already seen but whose secrets we have never imagined.

Learn about his connections with other noted surrealists including Salvador Dali and discover an artist known for his pranks and irreverent attitude.

Lectures in this series will be presented by the exhibition’s curator Nicholas Chambers and assistant curator Tai Spruyt from the Art Gallery as well as Simon Weir, who is an artist as well as senior lecturer and associate dean at the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney and a member of the International Journal of Surrealism’s editorial collective.

Each lecture will be held on Friday and repeated on Saturday in the Domain Theatre. Each session includes a 15-minute intermission, during which tea and coffee will be provided in the Domain Theatre foyer.