Paula Rego's "Drawing from Life" exhibition at the Cristea Roberts Gallery in London is a testament to the enduring power of her art. The show features some of her most iconic works, including the life-size doll, "Pillowman," which was inspired by Martin McDonagh's play "The Pillowman."
The Pillowman is a darkly comedic exploration of a totalitarian state that ruthlessly polices people's imagination. Rego's doll is based on the central panel of a triptych that was to be exhibited at Tate Britain in 2004. In it, Rego depicts a man with a cow's skull, who towers above a decapitated pig's head, next to a sleeping girl.
The doll was inspired by Rego's own experiences as a woman living under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar in Portugal. Her father, an industrialist, brought his family up on a country estate, where their neighbors included celebrities and royalty. However, after her father's death, the family's electronics business went bust, and the estate had to be sold, leaving Rego to beg for grants to keep their young family afloat.
Rego's artwork often explores themes of trauma, identity, and the human condition. Her "Drawing from Life" series features works inspired by McDonagh's stories, which were initially intended as outlines for a potential short film series. The four stories Rego chose to develop into artworks are based on a piglet's futile prayers to be saved from slaughter by a scarecrow it had earlier rescued from a wildfire.
One of the most striking pieces in the exhibition is "Camouflaged Hands," which features a woman with turtle-like hands, symbolizing the way depression can feel like a living creature that feeds off you. According to Rego's son Nick Willing, this work was inspired by his mother's lifelong struggle with depression, which began after her father's death.
Rego's artistic collaboration with McDonagh was a significant moment in her career. Although a picture book based on their stories never materialized, the exhibition showcases some of the most remarkable works to emerge from their partnership. As McDonagh noted, "To be a tiny part of the art of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century is mind-blowing to me."
The exhibition runs until January 17 at Cristea Roberts Gallery and will also feature Rego's "Story Line" at Victoria Miro from February to March. Visitors can witness Rego's passion for storytelling through her remarkable artworks, which continue to captivate audiences around the world.
The Pillowman is a darkly comedic exploration of a totalitarian state that ruthlessly polices people's imagination. Rego's doll is based on the central panel of a triptych that was to be exhibited at Tate Britain in 2004. In it, Rego depicts a man with a cow's skull, who towers above a decapitated pig's head, next to a sleeping girl.
The doll was inspired by Rego's own experiences as a woman living under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar in Portugal. Her father, an industrialist, brought his family up on a country estate, where their neighbors included celebrities and royalty. However, after her father's death, the family's electronics business went bust, and the estate had to be sold, leaving Rego to beg for grants to keep their young family afloat.
Rego's artwork often explores themes of trauma, identity, and the human condition. Her "Drawing from Life" series features works inspired by McDonagh's stories, which were initially intended as outlines for a potential short film series. The four stories Rego chose to develop into artworks are based on a piglet's futile prayers to be saved from slaughter by a scarecrow it had earlier rescued from a wildfire.
One of the most striking pieces in the exhibition is "Camouflaged Hands," which features a woman with turtle-like hands, symbolizing the way depression can feel like a living creature that feeds off you. According to Rego's son Nick Willing, this work was inspired by his mother's lifelong struggle with depression, which began after her father's death.
Rego's artistic collaboration with McDonagh was a significant moment in her career. Although a picture book based on their stories never materialized, the exhibition showcases some of the most remarkable works to emerge from their partnership. As McDonagh noted, "To be a tiny part of the art of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century is mind-blowing to me."
The exhibition runs until January 17 at Cristea Roberts Gallery and will also feature Rego's "Story Line" at Victoria Miro from February to March. Visitors can witness Rego's passion for storytelling through her remarkable artworks, which continue to captivate audiences around the world.
. his play is darkly comedic but rego's doll takes it to a whole new level. anyway, if you ever get the chance to see this exhibition, pls do 
Her stories are so hauntingly real, it's like she taps into our collective trauma 
. I mean, this "Drawing from Life" exhibition is a total game-changer. It's like she's taken all these dark themes and emotions from her own life and poured them onto canvas. I loved how the Pillowman piece, you know, it's just so... hauntingly beautiful 
. And the fact that it was inspired by her struggles growing up under this dictatorship in Portugal is just mind-blowing. I remember reading about that stuff in school and thinking it was like something straight out of a bad spy novel 
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. Trust me, it's worth it.
. What I love about her art is that it's not just about storytelling but also about exploring the human condition – like, have you ever felt like depression is this living creature that just takes over your life? 
That’s what "Camouflaged Hands" makes me think of. Anyway, if you get a chance to see this exhibition I would totally recommend it – it's not just art, it's an experience 
! Her experiences under Salazar's regime are so raw and emotional that she pours all those feelings into her art. I'm not surprised it's having a huge impact at this exhibition in London. The way she explores trauma, identity, and human condition through these incredible pieces like "Camouflaged Hands" is just hauntingly beautiful. It's amazing how much storytelling goes into each piece, especially with McDonagh's stories being the inspiration. I think Rego's art is a testament to her strength as a woman and an artist who's not afraid to confront the dark stuff head-on 