The Automatists

The Automatists were a group of artists in 1940s and 1950s Quebec who believed that creativity should come from the subconscious mind rather than conscious planning. They used spontaneous and automatic techniques, such as free drawing or painting without pre-determined ideas, to tap into deep feelings and instincts. Their goal was to access true self-expression and challenge traditional artistic methods. This movement was part of a broader effort to develop a distinct Canadian modern art identity and was closely linked to the Surrealist movement worldwide.