See the 20th Century's Most Influential Artist Joan Miró

The Base Greenham is delighted to present the Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry from Friday 4 to Sunday 27 April and will be the opening venue for the tour.

The exhibition will bring together 26 lithographic prints created by the renowned Catalan Spanish artist, to illustrate the writings of the celebrated French surrealist poet Robert Desnos.

One of the 20th century’s most influential and recognisable artists, Joan Miró’s highly individual style placed him at the forefront of Surrealism and Dadaism. Primarily known as a painter and sculptor, Miró was also a celebrated and dynamic printmaker. Within this practice, the artist produced a remarkable and extensive output of book illustrations, often created for artists, writers and poets associated with the Surrealist movement.  

The first prints Miró ever made were illustrations for a book of poems - literary sources would prove a constant inspiration for the artist. Miró never considered his involvement in these books to be strictly that of an illustrator. He worked from the free expression of what the text suggested to him and embraced the process of finding the image through experiment and accident.  

This new exhibition will shine light on Miró’s prints and how they are not only an excellent example of the richness and variety of his print production, but also his famous experimentation with vivid colours and abstract shapes.

On Tuesday 8 April, The Base will host a Family Day for the Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry exhibition where visitors are encouraged to introduce their little ones to the inspiring world of art galleries in a fun and relaxed setting. This day provides the perfect opportunity to explore The Base as a family, view the Gallery exhibition, follow art-inspired trails around the building, peek inside the artists’ studios, and boost children’s creativity and imagination with free art and craft activities.  

As well as their Family Day, The Base Greenham will be hosting a Relaxed Day on Thursday 24 April for the exhibition. Adjustments will be made throughout the venue to ensure the space is inclusive and comfortable for anyone; these include turning off hand dryers in the bathrooms and background music throughout, limiting Gallery capacity per session, as well as having sensory bags on offer for those attending. The event is particularly suitable for visitors who are neurodivergent but anyone who would benefit from a calmer environment is also very welcome at The Base.

There are also several exhibition-themed workshops on offer at The Base inspired by Miro’s work. There are workshops for young people which include Surrealism: Creative Collage (Saturday 5 April) where children can create their own mini collage landscape, Songs and Stories in the Gallery (Thursday 17 & Saturday 19 April) for little ones and their carers to explore The Base’s creative spaces through music and much-loved children's tales. Along with Create and Play like a Surrealist (Saturday 26 April), where children can create playful artwork inspired by the exhibition.

For adults The Base will host a Poetry Open Mic Night (Thursday 24 April), giving people the chance to perform spoken word or listen and relax while taking in the beauty the exhibition, Explore Surrealism with Oils (Saturday 26 April).

Don't miss Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry at The Base Greenham from Friday 4 to Sunday 27 April (open Tue – Sun, 10am – 5pm). To book tickets to the exhibition, related workshops or for more information, please visit thebasegreenham.co.uk or call 01635 522733.