Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry brings together 26 vibrant lithographs created in response to the writings of French Surrealist poet Robert Desnos. Playful, experimental and rhythmically alive, these works reveal Miró’s joy in translating words into colour, gesture and abstract form.

Although best known as a painter and sculptor, Miró was also a prolific and inventive printmaker. His book illustrations, created for writers and artists associated with Surrealism, emerged through imaginative dialogue rather than literal interpretation. Image and text come together through intuition, accident and emotional resonance.

This Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London, highlights the richness of Miró’s printmaking, showcasing vivid colour, bold line and spontaneous mark-making. Together, the works reveal his remarkable ability to create visual poetry that feels both playful and profound.

Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry offers a joyful start to 2027, inviting visitors into a world where art and language meet in vibrant conversation.