Charles Darwent's 'Surrealists in New York' Examines Surrealism's Influence on Abstract Expressionism

Charles Darwent's book 'Surrealists in New York' explores the migration of Surrealist artists from Paris to New York during World War II and their impact on the development of American Abstract Expressionism. The publication investigates how European Surrealists, fleeing the war, brought their artistic ideas to the United States, where they interacted with American artists and contributed to a significant shift in the art world. Brittany Rosemary Jones reviewed the book for ArtReview on March 14, 2023. Darwent's research examines the transition of artistic leadership from Paris to New York, analyzing how Surrealist concepts and techniques influenced emerging American abstract artists. The book traces the movement of key European artists to New York and their role in shaping post-war American art. Darwent's work provides historical context for understanding the origins of Abstract Expressionism within the broader narrative of 20th-century art movements. The publication offers insights into how international artistic exchanges during wartime periods can transform cultural landscapes and give rise to new artistic movements.