David Bate is Course Leader in MA Photographic Studies & Senior Lecturer in Photography Theory, University of Westminster, London.

Source Magazine: "Bate's interweaving of semiotics, psychoanalysis and photographic conventions is a useful model... extensive examination of the relationship between Surrealism, colonialism and ethnography that has until recently been overlooked..." The Art Book: "new and interesting observations" "I can only advise that you buy the book" Bookforum: "provides a rich feast of carefully researched insights..." "This is a much-needed work of scholarly restoration..." "a welcome antidote to popular notions of Surrealism as apolitical 'shock art' or as phallocentric and sexually exploitative." 'Cogent and Satisfying.' - History of Photography

• What is a Surrealist photograph?; the automatic image; sadness and sanity; the oriental signifier; the Sadean eye; black object, white subject; the truth of the colonies; fascism and exile.