
Text source: The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (Oxford University Press)
1935–2022
Portuguese, British
Text source: The Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (Oxford University Press)
Paula Rego grew up in Portugal under the shadow of dictatorship. She became aware of the power of the unspoken as keeping secrets was vital to survival. In a career that has spanned six decades, her paintings are frequently inspired by her personal fears, desires and a passion to fight injustice.
Tate curator Elena Crippa takes us through the work of Rego, from the personal loss that influenced some of her major paintings to her response to social inequality in her native Portugal.
Video credit: HENI Talks
Henry Tudor Pole
Alice Blow
Hettie Judah
Robert Priseman