THE subversion and revolt of Surrealism sprang from the embers of the Dada movement and its reaction to the atrocities of the first world war, when death and destruction ware experienced on a grotesquely industrial scale.

It was so beyond comprehension that Dada attempted to mirror the absurd uselessness of it all and its art, including poetry, was often satirical and nonsensical in form and content.

The term Surrealism was coined by the poet Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917 and it was another poet, Andre Breton, who wrote The Surrealist Manifesto in1924.

The Surrealists were also well-versed in Sigmund Freud’s ideas, particularly his work on dream theory, free association and the unconscious, all of which affected their work.

The poetry of the unexpected, Surrealism is a reconnection to what Louis Aragon in 1926 wrote was an “eruption of contradiction within the real.”

Its subversion undermines rationality. Surrealism is, above all, about the imagination and the importance of dreaming.

Consequently, the emphasis of Surrealism in Wales — nature and the perambulation of the seasons in its rural environs — is located somewhat elsewhere in relation to the genre’s mainstream

This is because ancient Celtic culture has had an impact upon the everyday in Wales.

The majesty of legend glistens, as the dragons protect us and instil us with verve and the dreams of thousands of years, enabling us to embrace the crashing breathless timelessness of these lands.

Then there is humour. Surrealists often refer to “black humour”— a term coined by Breton — and there is indeed a strain of this style of humour among Welsh, along with an equally compelling tradition of surrealist, absurdist humour.

In Wales, Surrealism is the most active it has ever been, with the likes of John Welson, John Richardson, Neil Coombs and myself constantly attempting to subvert and undermine the miserabilism of the everyday culture of capitalism.

Exhibitions and poetry readings have been held regularly over the last few years and the largest exhibition for over 30 years The Surrealist Murmuration —  a poetic reference to nature — was held in the Aberystwyth Arts Centre in 2017.

The collective and collaborative nature of Surrealist activity in Wales has been present ever since its inception.

The movement has encouraged co-operation in projects and the mutual inspiration, respect and admiration that the first wave of Surrealists had for each other continues today.

Egos play no role in many of the creative activities — who exactly does what is not important.

Welsh Surrealism is essentially a left-wing movement where collaboration in an respectful comradely environment is self-evidently a natural way to proceed.

Surrealism aimed, and still does, to reconnect us with poetry, dreams and ultimately our inner selves.

Welsh Surrealism is all of the above with possibly a little more mystery, Celtic legend and appreciation of nature in the mix.

More than at any time since the 1930s and ’40s, we need Surrealism with a Welsh accent.

Jean Bonnin’s book Surrealism In Wales is published by Black Egg Publishing, price £29.95, and is available from jeanbonnin.com. For more information on Welsh Surrealism, visit the surzine at johnrichardsonsurreal.com/surrzine.