Dreams and Art
MYSTERY
24” x 36”, acrylic, inks, and pen on canvas. 2019
Dreams occasionally visit us to leave behind their lovely or frightening traces, so it is not surprising that dreams can make their way into the work of artists. The subconscious after all is a weird improviser. Occasionally, we might get a different category of dream, one that we feel is a message from the Collective Unconscious, a spiritual realm that connects all humanity, living or dead.
But some artists, like Romantic Swiss artist Henry Fuseli “the Nightmare” (1781) and several Surrealists like Salvador Dali “The Dream Approaches” (1932) and his associates Max Ernst, De Chirico, Rene Magritte, Yves Tanguy, Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, all cultivated dreams as part of their creative process.
What does this mean? Each of these artists in their own way began sustained conversation with their subconscious in order to receive a gift—an image, a vision, an insight—that they felt could be directly integrated into their paintings. The process is not unlike the work of Magic, such as it is reported by its practitioners. Completely practical, visionary, requiring concentration and focus and a belief in the powers of the Universal Mind.
The method of using dreams in art is not necessarily spiritual. Several of the Surrealists, for example, considered themselves as atheists, including the initiator of the surrealist movement, Andre Breton. Their atheism, of course, might only be considered such by religious institutions. The important thing for us is to understand that there is no special requirement to have transformative dreams. Just a belief in their power.
When I was 16, I tried using dreams as part of my creative process. I was outraged by how dull my dreams were. I even dreamt of shopping once. I laid down an ultimatum before my subconscious: either provide me with an interesting dream or I will quit all creative activity. Okay, okay. But I was only 16.
The “threat” actually worked. I was given a passably interesting dream with some useful images, and I didn’t have to quit doing creative activity. The subconscious had mercy on me and even reserved judgment on my idiocy.
Off and on, I have tapped the dream reservoir. If you are interested in looking at the work of someone who has cultivated dreams in her work, check out the website of the wonderful artist Ann McCoy https://annmccoy.com
