A Dali Museum is expected to be set up in Shanghai showcasing the world's most comprehensive collection of works by the late Spanish surrealist.

Salvador Dali, a surrealist painter born in 1904 in Figueres, Spain, is best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. His painting skills were attributed to the influence of Renaissance masters.

"Business talks are under way with the local government departments concerned about the art project," said Guillaume Arnoud from the France Stratford Foundation.

Arnoud said the foundation is expected to invest 10 million euros in the museum, the world's fourth of its kind. The other three are located in Paris, London and Dali's hometown of Figueres.

The Foundation is seeking a location for the new museum, probably in the city's downtown areas such as the Bund or the People's Square and Huaihai Road, according to Arnoud.

"If things go smoothly, the museum will open before the Shanghai Expo," he said.

The foundation is co-operating with the Shanghai Uwantart Gallery to hold a show of Dali's works at the Art Shaker located in the city's Yangpu District, Arnoud said. The 10-day show will open on September 5 with an amazing collection of Dali's over 350 works including paintings and sculpture.

"All these works will be showcased for the first time in Asia," said Arnoud.

Local art insiders said the show aims to entertain local audiences, getting them familiar with Dali.

"It can also be considered as a prelude to setting up the Dali Museum in Shanghai," Arnoud added.

The exhibits, which will all be free, consist of three themes: dreams and imagination, lust and women, and religion and myth, showing Dali's imagination and surrealist wisdom.

(China Daily September 8, 2009)