Bizarre and Surreal - Contemporary Glass Society UK

“What’s bizarre!” “How surreal!” — familiar expressions that describe experiences lying beyond the ordinary. Yet in art, these terms invite deeper reflection.

To be bizarre is to challenge convention — to reveal the unexpected through forms that may appear odd, strange, or grotesque. The surreal, by contrast, belongs to the realm of the subconscious: where reality and imagination intermingle, and familiar elements are combined in unfamiliar, dreamlike ways. This aesthetic of disorientation recalls the legacy of Salvador Dalí and the Surrealists, who sought to expose the irrational beneath the surface of reason.
This exhibition invites viewers to consider: How are we bizarre and surreal?

In response to this theme, 55 Contemporary Glass Society members present works that reimagine the material possibilities of glass. Their pieces explore distortion, transformation, and ambiguity — evoking moments where perception slips and the strange becomes sublime. Through their diverse practices, these artists illuminate how the bizarre and the surreal continue to shape contemporary visual language.

Launched 6 October 2025
https://cgs.org.uk/news/cgs-bizarre-and-surreal-online-exhibition-largest-ever/