Reuben Mednikoff 1906-1972

Born in London in 1906 to a Jewish family of Russian heritage, Reuben Mednikoff emerged as one of the more unconventional voices in British Surrealism. His artistic path changed dramatically in 1935 when he met Grace Pailthorpe, a surgeon and psychoanalyst whose research drew on Freudian theory. Together they developed a singular practice in which painting and drawing served not only as creative expression but also as a means of exploring memory and the unconscious.

Mednikoff’s early works often combined dream imagery with personal symbolism, accompanied by detailed psychological analyses written by both artists. Their approach gained early acclaim: André Breton, leader of the Parisian Surrealists, described them as “the best and most truly Surrealist” artists in Britain. Mednikoff’s position in the movement was further confirmed by his inclusion in the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition in London, a landmark event introducing Surrealism to the British public.