What is Metamorphosis in Surrealist art?

Metamorphosis-the transformation of one form into another-is a central theme in Surrealist art. Artists depict bodies becoming objects, animals merging with humans, solid matter liquefying, and identities shifting fluidly. Salvador Dali’s ‘Metamorphosis of Narcissus’ exemplifies this theme, showing a figure transforming into a hand holding an egg. Metamorphosis reflects the unconscious mind’s disregard for fixed categories and stable identity. The theme connects to biomorphic forms that suggest organic transformation and to Surrealism’s broader interest in dissolving boundaries between categories. Contemporary artists across Dark Art and Visionary Art continue exploring metamorphosis as a way to visualize psychological transformation and fluid identity.