The Traumatic Surreal: Germanophone Women Artists and Surrealism After the Second World War

The book "The Traumatic Surreal" explores how Germanophone women artists responded to the trauma of the Second World War, redefining post-war surrealism and recalibrating critical understandings of its relations to historical trauma. It examines artworks, writings, and compositions by Swiss Meret Oppenheim, Unica Zürn, Birgit Jürgenssen, Bady Minck, and Olga Neuwirth, tracing the development of the traumatic surreal through the wartime and post-war period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The groundbreaking study "The Traumatic Surreal" delves into the profound impact of Germanophone women artists who embraced surrealist traditions in addressing the traumatic events and legacies of the Second World War. Through a comprehensive analysis of diverse works across various media, the book redefines the post-war trajectory of surrealism and recalibrates our understanding of its relationship with historical trauma. Spanning chapters, the book explores the artistic contributions of Swiss Meret Oppenheim, German Unica Zürn, Austrian Birgit Jürgenssen, Luxembourg-Austrian Bady Minck, and Austrian Olga Neuwirth, in collaboration with fellow Austrian Nobel-prize winning novelist Elfriede Jelinek. By contextualizing each artist within their historical milieu, the book traces the evolution of the traumatic surreal across the wartime and post-war periods. This seminal work not only sheds light on the artistic expressions of these remarkable women but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the enduring power of art to heal and transcend the scars of trauma.

Weight: 842g
Dimension: 177 x 246 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526149794