On the late artist's birthday, remember Salvador Dal&iacute; through his own words on ambition and art.

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/salvador-dali-clemmer-an-encounter-a-work-at-10-corso-como-new-york" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Salvador Dal&iacute;</a>'s eccentric footprint not only left an imprint on 20th century art, but also fashion. The Spanish painter, sculptor, and designer was known for his work depicting melting clocks&mdash;"The Persistence of Memory" (1931)&mdash;and his "Lobster Telephone" (1936) sculpture, which became emblematic of the Surrealist movement. Marked by the visual expression of the subconcious mind, Surrealism juxtaposed symbolic, dream-like imagery. This avant-garde perspective lended itself to many creative collaborations, including several with the renowned fashion designer Elsa <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/schiaparelli-fall-winter-2021-pfw-lady-gaga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schiaparelli.</a> His work with the designer included the famous lobster dress that Schiaparelli asked the artist to create for Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. He was also friends with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gabrielle-chanel-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coco Chanel,</a> who influenced his foray into costume design and other creations that bridged fashion and art. A creative force to be reckoned with, Dal&iacute; is remembered for his conceptual, illusory work that contemporary designers like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/alessandro-michele-gucci-creative-director-harry-styles-jared-leto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gucci's Alessandro Michele</a> continue to reference.&nbsp;
On the late Surrealist's birthday, get a peek into Dal&iacute;'s mind with eight quotes on art, ambition, and perfection.&nbsp;

"Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings."

"Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing."

"I'm much more interested in speaking, or being near people who think the opposite of the things I think, than with people who think the same things that I think."

"Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it."

"It is good taste, and good taste alone, that possesses the power to sterilize and is always the first handicap to any creative functioning."

"Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision."

"Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: rationalize them, understand them thoroughly. After that, it will be possible for you to sublimate them."

8 Quotes From Salvador Dalí, Fashion's Favorite Surrealist

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