Paula Rego

The Personal and The Political

Paula Rego’s (1935–2022) paintings have an explosive impact that only few artists can achieve. In her adopted country of England, Rego ranks among the greats of figurative painting such as Lucian Freud and David Hockney. In her home country of Portugal, she has changed the political reality with her uncompromising art. Based on around 130 works, the exhibition traces Rego’s artistic development after her studies at the Slade School, London, in the 1950s. The show focuses on the artist’s series of works, in which her most intimate personal experiences are transformed into images of collective experience during the artistic process. They touch on sensitive themes such as political and sexualised violence and counter these with self-determination, community and affection. Her medium of choice early on was paper. The exhibition’s selection of works is complemented by various paintings and examples of the dolls that Rego produced for her compositions in the 2000s. This exhibition is the artist’s second retrospective in a German museum.

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FURTHER OFFERS FOR THE EXHIBITION

AWARENESS-RAISING SPACE
Paula Rego has used her art to make topics visible that are often ignored or taboo: the struggle for self-determination, the experience of pain and isolation and the social pressure that accompanies many decisions. In the context of the exhibition, a place has been created that invites visitors to linger. Further literature and information provide insights into topics such as abortion, FGM/C, cohesion, anger and desire. Perspectives that are rarely publicised. Visitors are invited to read, reflect and record their own thoughts in the form of drawings with pastels on paper. In this way, this space can become a place of community and sharing.