The exhibition title, Surrealism and Us, references the essay “1943: Surrealism and Us” by Suzanne Césaire (1915-1966), a Martinique writer, feminist, and anti-colonialist. Césaire believed that the concepts, aesthetics, and power of Surrealism could encourage self-determination and independence.

The DMA has been earnest and intentional in its efforts to acquire works by women and people of color over the past seven years and the current exhibition reflects that.