A celebration of the life and career of James Gleeson, Australia's most important and startling Surrealist artist, to mark his 80th year. Gleeson has practised as painter, poet, draftsman and collagist since the early 1930s. This documentary traces his career from suburban Northbridge, Sydney, Gleeson's home since the 1950s, to the Sydney art world of the 30s, London, Paris and Venice in the 40s, and back to the present. Gleeson is caught in the act of creation, and conducts a tour of his home, his first technical college, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Sydney fish markets. The program includes views of his masterpieces, including the disturbing and horrific 'The Citadel', which was refused exhibition in England in 1948.