In brief
Silbermann, who joined André Breton's circle at 18, is showcasing his work at the Independent Art Fair, asserting that Surrealism is “an attitude toward the world.”
In the buzzing atmosphere of late 1950s Paris, Jean-Claude Silbermann defined his identity as a surrealist at just 18. Outside Le Musset, a popular café nestled between the Palais Royal and the Louvre, he eagerly awaited the charismatic André Breton, a leading figure of the Surrealist movement. “I didn’t know how to do anything. I hadn’t even written any poems,” he remembers. With a bold introduction, he declared his allegiance to Surrealism, a philosophy he believes embodies revolt and a distinct perspective on life. Breton welcomed him into their nightly gatherings, igniting Silbermann's artistic path.Born in 1935 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Silbermann chose poetry over a conventional business career in his family's successful hat-making enterprise. His love for literature was kindled by reading Apollinaire’s 'Alcools', a transformative experience that solidified his commitment to artistic expression. An adventurous spirit led him across Europe, where he honed a humble lifestyle by working on cargo ships, reading palms, and cultivating his poetic voice.Years later, back in Paris with family obligations, he felt constrained by the bourgeois lifestyle, which contributed to his anxiety and dissatisfaction. Yet, serendipity intervened through his encounter with Breton, steering him back towards his artistic passions—poetry and painting. Now showcasing his mysterious artworks at the Independent Art Fair, Silbermann, at 90, remains committed to Surrealism, viewing it as a lasting state of mind and an unconventional approach to understanding the world around us.
