Surrealist success on London's South Bank

The DALI UNIVERSE, London's new 30,000 square foot exhibition dedicated to the famous Spanish Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, has opened its doors to critical acclaim, proving the continuing popularity of the eccentric artist into the new Millennium.

Since opening on SATURDAY 3rd June 2000, nearly 500,000 visitors have flocked to see the DALI UNIVERSE that has formed part of London's newest cultural hub in County Hall alongside the popular BA London Eye.

Featuring over 500 works of art, most of which has never been exhibited before in the UK, the DALI UNIVERSE showcases extensive collections of his sculptures, rare graphics, jewellery, gold and glass objects, etchings and watercolours. The exhibition also features Dalí's mesmerising oil painting created for the set of Hitchcock's 1945 Hollywood movie, Spellbound.

Curator of the exhibition and President of the Stratton Foundation, Mr Benjamin Levi is an avid collector of Dalí's work. A personal friend of the artist, Mr Levi has curated in excess of 60 Dalí exhibitions worldwide attracting over 5 million visitors over the last two decades.

The DALI UNIVERSE boasts three themed areas of 'Sensuality and Femininity', 'Religion and Mythology' and 'Dreams and Fantasy'.

'Sensuality and Feminity' includes the world-renowned Mae West Lips Sofa and the famous sculpture Buste de Femme Retrospectif, which remains one of the defining classics of Surrealism from the 1930's. Graphics illustrating the major themes of literature are also featured, including ten rare lithographs from the Romeo and Juliet series and twelve erotic Casanova images.

'Religion and Mythology' reflects Salvador Dalí's tempestuous and ambiguous relationship with the Church. Two of Dalí's most famous masterpieces - the epic illustrations of the Bible and of Dante's Divine Comedy, number well over 100 graphics in this area.

In 'Dreams and Fantasy', Dalí's enduring fascination with the subconscious as the true canvas for expression of personality comes into vivid focus via his sculptural works such as the Persistence of Memory and the Profile of Time. Other works that refer to a life lived through dreams and distorted visions of reality include the enchanting Alice in Wonderland and Don Quichotte.

For the first time ever in Britain, visitors and Londoners alike can enjoy Europe's most important collection of Salvador Dalí's works in the permanent home of the DALI UNIVERSE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Jenny Bidwell on 020 7450 7602 or info@countyhallgallery.com