The Sir Anthony Browne Society (SABS) at Brentwood School is a society for Sixth Form pupils, which provides them with an opportunity for intellectual discussion and cultural interest.

This week pupils met with Professor Anthony Slinn and learnt about the artist Salvador Dali, his inspirations and life.  Professor Slinn talked enthusiastically about Dali's work, calling it a "Phantasmagoria of Nothingness," explaining further that Dali was "a great showman" stimulated by visual things around him, then turning them in to surreal works of art.

SABS members were surprised to hear that Dali's inspirations were the countryside and his wife.  Dali lived in Port Lligat, Spain, a small fishing village near a mountain range which can be seen in many of his paintings on closer inspection. He married Gala, his muse, in the 1930's and moved in to his opened planned villa (now a museum) which features an outdoor swimming pool that runs through his lounge and a living room in the shape of a womb (or egg).

Professor Slinn also told the students about The Dali Museum in Figueres, Spain which houses one of the largest collections of Dali's work.

The students found the presentation fascinating as Professor Slinn interpreted some of Dali's paintings including; "The Persistence of Memory" and "The Vision of St John of The Cross". Anthony Slinn continues to be a full time painter and lecturer giving close to 200 presentations a year.