Miró: Works on paper and rare graphics

The playful, cartoon-like paintings of Joan Miró are instantly recognisable. Bright in colour and childlike in form, the Catalan artist flirted with both abstract expressionism and surrealism to create his vivid celebrations of the Catalan landscape.

Rare prints, etches and lithographs by Miro will be on show at the Andipa Gallery, Knightsbridge from Thursday.

Timed to coincide with the first major London retrospective of Miró’s work for almost 50 years, which opened at Tate Modern over the weekend, the Andipa will provide the opportunity for collectors to acquire some of the artist’s sought after pieces.

Miro’s creations, characterised by startling colours, surrealist forms, and free use of paint, communicate freedom and energy.

But over time, Miró's playful technique darkened; perhaps because he was a man prevented by civil war from returning to his homeland, a bystander who watched his country descend into bloodshed.

Through what became political art, Miró strove to capture the feeling of despair and defiance as he witnessed life under Franco and the Spanish Civil War.

“The artwork of Miró is included in public and private collections worldwide and as a key figure of the surrealist movement his work will always remain highly sought after,” Acoris Andipa, Director of Andipa Gallery, said.

“It is interesting that considering Miró's importance as one of the finest modern masters of his time so few works by the artist come up at auction, a sign of how cherished they are by collectors.”

'Works on paper and rare graphics' is at the Andipa Gallery, London from 7 April to 7 May 2011, andipamodern.com