The Abandonment of Madame Triple-Nipples

In concern with the context on the events during and leading up to Banting's The Abandonment of Madame Triple-Nipples, Louisa Buck states, 'The left-wing activities of the British Surrealist Group had gained momentum throughout 1938 and its increasingly political orientation undoubtably had an effect on Banting. The Surrealists issued manifestos against Fascism, marched in bizarre costumes in Communist May Day marches, organised vigourous debates with the Artists International Association' (see Exhibition catalogue, The Surrealist Spirit in Britain, London, Whitford & Hughes, 1988, p. 12). In 1938, one year preceding the execution of the present work, Banting was arrested for trying to ward off the Anschluss by flinging himself in front of Nazi troops as they marched into Innsbruck. As is clear by the grotesque form and curious title The Abandonment of Madame Triple-Nipples, Banting puts 'the deformation of reality at the service of social satire' (Michel Remy, private correspondence 28th July 2006).
Banting remained in Britain during the war and was ceaseless in his commitment and activity within the British Surrealist group.