Paula Rego: ‘Making a painting can reveal things you keep secret from yourself’ Kate Kellaway
When a Paula Rego retrospective at Tate Britain was first suggested three years ago, it was welcomed as an irresistible – an inevitable – proposal. For, as the show’s curator Elena Crippa observes, there is only a handful of contemporary female artists who have achieved comparable status. And there are not many artists who have made women their subject in the inward, intense and complicated way that Rego has over the decades – painting them in pain, power and surrender. This is the largest show of her career, with more than 100 pieces – paintings, collages, drawings, pastels, etchings, sculptures – many never seen in this country before. It will be a chance to unriddle the stories the paintings tell and to celebrate an artist of fabulous – in every sense – talent. And, as with any well-curated retrospective, it will be a way in to the narrative of Paula
Paula Rego in 1998. Photograph: Nicholas Sinclair
Paula Rego in 1998. Photograph: Nicholas Sinclair
On the eve of her biggest ever UK show, the figurative artist recalls a 70-year ânon-careerâ tackling fascism, abortion, tragedy and the solidarity of women
Sun 4 Jul 2021 03.00 EDT
When a Paula Rego retrospective at Tate Britain was first suggested three years ago, it was welcomed as an irresistible â an inevitable â proposal. For, as the showâs curator Elena Crippa observes, there is only a handful of contemporary female artists who have achieved comparable status. And there are not many artists who have made women their subject in the inward, intense and complicated way that Rego has over the decades â painting them in pain, power and surrender. This is the largest show of her career, with more than 100 pieces â paintings, collages, drawings, pastels, etchings, sculptures â many never seen in this country before. It will be a chance to unr