Surrealist Artwork Narrative Examples

Discover creative narratives inspired by surrealist art.
By Morgan

Develop a Narrative from a Surrealist Artwork

Surrealism isn’t just a style; it’s a doorway to the unexpected! When you immerse yourself in surrealist artwork, you dive into a realm where the bizarre meets the sublime. This creative writing prompt invites you to explore the bizarre and whimsical worlds that these artworks present. Let’s unleash our imaginations with three unique examples!

Example 1: The Dreaming City

In this exercise, imagine a surrealist painting depicting a city where the buildings are made of clouds and the streets are rivers of ink. The context could be a writing workshop focused on dream-like narratives. This artwork serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of fluidity, memory, and the ethereal nature of dreams.

In your narrative, you could follow a character who wakes up in this city, unsure if they are dreaming or in a parallel universe. As they navigate the ink rivers and cloud buildings, they encounter whimsical creatures: a librarian octopus who rearranges books according to the emotions they evoke, and a wise old turtle who speaks in riddles about forgotten dreams. The character learns that the city is shaped by the dreams of its inhabitants and must confront their own dreams to escape.

Notes: Consider exploring the interplay of reality and dreams, and how one influences the other. Variations could include changing the city’s architecture or the types of creatures the character meets.

Example 2: The Melting Portrait

Picture a surrealist portrait where the subject’s features are melting like wax under a flame, surrounded by floating clocks and blooming flowers that seem to sing. This artwork can prompt a narrative centered around identity and the passage of time. It could be used in a character development workshop.

In your story, the protagonist could be an artist who has lost their sense of self. In this melting world, they encounter their past selves, represented by different flowers, each telling a story of their youth, dreams, and regrets. As they interact with these floral versions, they begin to piece together who they were and who they want to become. The melting portrait symbolizes the fluid nature of identity, reminding them that change is inevitable, but each version of themselves contributes to the whole.

Notes: Play with the symbolism of melting and blooming to emphasize transformation. You could also introduce other surreal elements, such as talking clocks that offer wisdom or warnings.

Example 3: The Elevator to Nowhere

Imagine a surrealist scene featuring an elevator that opens to various surreal landscapes instead of floors, each one more bizarre than the last—like a desert made of candy or a forest filled with floating fish. This artwork could inspire a narrative focusing on choice and consequence, perfect for an adventure-themed writing class.

Your narrative could follow a character who steps into the elevator, curious about what awaits on the next ‘floor.’ Each time they press a button, they are transported to a new landscape that offers a unique challenge or puzzle. For instance, in the candy desert, they must find a way to cross without getting stuck in the sticky sand, while in the fish forest, they must communicate with the fish to unlock the path to the next adventure. Along the way, they realize that their choices shape the journey, leading to unexpected friendships and lessons about courage.

Notes: This example encourages exploration of different themes like choice and friendship. Variations could include adding quirky characters they meet in each landscape or introducing a time limit for each adventure.

Let these narratives inspire you to explore the whimsical, bizarre world of surrealism, and remember that the only limit is your imagination!