Out and about on WRAL.com

By Adam Owens, WRAL reporter

Raleigh, North Carolina – A collection of the famous Spanish artist Salvadore Dali is on display in Raleigh.

His works have been presented all over the world and were brought to an art gallery in the village district by someone close to Dali.

Dali grew up in Spain in the 1900s and was known to explore subconscious imagery. One of his most famous pieces, “The Persistence of Memory,” shows a molten pocket watch which many believe represents the relativity of space and time. The painting has been featured in The Simpsons, Futurama, Doctor Who, Sesame Street, and many other pieces of pop culture.

Madame Christine Argillet grew up alongside the renowned artist.

“He was very eccentric,” said Agrillet.

Dali, a surrealist painter, had been inspired by Agrillet’s father, Pierre Argillet, for most of his life. He worked alongside Dali for decades.

Argillet once said his father helped him put a grand piano in an oak tree.

“It was always stimulating, beautiful… elegant and full of creativity,” she said.

Dali was serious about his art. He could study a theme for weeks before starting a job.

But Agrillet said there was another side of him too.

“He was so simple, so easy going, hissing,” she said.

The collection she shares with the LaMantia gallery in the village area was collected by her father.

“It is the largest collection of Dali prints,” Agrillet said. “We have over 200 different ones.”

For a price, visitors can take a piece home, thanks to Argillet.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin thanked Argillet for bringing the collection to Raleigh during a ceremony on Saturday. She also proclaimed October 16 Madame Christine Argillet Day.

Salvadore Dali died in 1989 at the age of 84.