While Surrealism is closely associated with Paris, a significant number of British artists including Eileen Agar, Roland Penrose and John Banting developed their own distinctly British take on the movement following their visits to the city.

Displaying works from The Sherwin Family Collection, one of the most significant collections of British Surrealism in private ownership, When Dreams Confront Reality offers a wide ranging view of works by British Surrealists alongside their European influences, including Max Ernst, Julian Trevelyan, F.E. McWilliam and Man Ray.