Paula Rego's art has long been a testament to her unflinching gaze into the darkness of human existence. Her latest exhibition, 'Drawing from Life', brings together works inspired by Martin McDonagh's stories, which had previously gone unseen outside of his theatrical productions.
One particular story captivated Rego, who wrote to McDonagh in 2004 asking for permission to name some pictures after his play 'The Pillowman'. The story involved a forest full of babies calling out for the conscience of their mother, an experience Rego felt compelled to explore through art. Although Rego never explicitly stated why she made this particular work, her past experiences with backstreet abortions and family struggles, including the loss of her father's electronics business, which went bust after his death, hint at a complex web of emotions.
The 'McDonagh series', as it came to be known, includes works such as a life-size doll called the "pillowman" modelled on McDonagh himself, and paintings depicting themes of torture, murder, and abortion. Rego's take on these dark subjects showcases her unflinching eye for detail and her capacity to capture the human condition with raw emotion.
For all its intensity, the works from this period also reveal Rego's deep affection for her industrialist father, who had brought his family up on a 'quinta' – country estate. Her paintings often incorporate references to Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince and the exiled king of Italy, adding depth and complexity to an already emotionally charged body of work.
Rego has long suffered from depression, which her late husband Victor Willing struggled with before his death in 2004. The picture featuring a man with turtles for hands is believed by Willing to be connected to Rego's lifelong struggle with this condition. It is thought that the image symbolizes the idea that our imperfections and struggles are both burdens and privileges, making it difficult for us to distinguish between what weighs us down and what defines us.
Rego's time collaborating with McDonagh produced an impressive body of work, but a published picture book was never made. The two artists formed a strong bond over their shared passion for storytelling, which has led to some remarkable works that will undoubtedly captivate those familiar with Rego's style.
One particular story captivated Rego, who wrote to McDonagh in 2004 asking for permission to name some pictures after his play 'The Pillowman'. The story involved a forest full of babies calling out for the conscience of their mother, an experience Rego felt compelled to explore through art. Although Rego never explicitly stated why she made this particular work, her past experiences with backstreet abortions and family struggles, including the loss of her father's electronics business, which went bust after his death, hint at a complex web of emotions.
The 'McDonagh series', as it came to be known, includes works such as a life-size doll called the "pillowman" modelled on McDonagh himself, and paintings depicting themes of torture, murder, and abortion. Rego's take on these dark subjects showcases her unflinching eye for detail and her capacity to capture the human condition with raw emotion.
For all its intensity, the works from this period also reveal Rego's deep affection for her industrialist father, who had brought his family up on a 'quinta' – country estate. Her paintings often incorporate references to Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince and the exiled king of Italy, adding depth and complexity to an already emotionally charged body of work.
Rego has long suffered from depression, which her late husband Victor Willing struggled with before his death in 2004. The picture featuring a man with turtles for hands is believed by Willing to be connected to Rego's lifelong struggle with this condition. It is thought that the image symbolizes the idea that our imperfections and struggles are both burdens and privileges, making it difficult for us to distinguish between what weighs us down and what defines us.
Rego's time collaborating with McDonagh produced an impressive body of work, but a published picture book was never made. The two artists formed a strong bond over their shared passion for storytelling, which has led to some remarkable works that will undoubtedly captivate those familiar with Rego's style.
Paula Rego's new exhibition 'Drawing from Life' is like, sooo intense! 
She's got this deep connection with Martin McDonagh's stories and it shows in her art... I mean, have u seen the life-size doll called the "pillowman"?? 
It's like she's capturing the darkest emotions of humanity and putting them into these beautiful (and disturbing) paintings. 
And can we talk about how much her personal struggles come through in this work? Like, she's dealing with depression and family drama... it's all so raw and honest. 
I love how she incorporates these little references to Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince and the exiled king of Italy too - it adds this whole other layer of depth to her art. 
And can we just give Paula Rego a big round of applause for being unapologetically herself? 
i love how she weaves together these different stories and themes into one cohesive body of work - it's like a masterclass in storytelling 
plus, i'm obsessed with the little prince references throughout the exhibit 
. I mean, sure, Paula Rego is an incredible artist and all, but it's just another collection of dark pieces about human suffering. Where's the hope? The light at the end of the tunnel? I'm not buying it (pun intended). I think this exhibition will be more appealing to people who already love the macabre and don't need a reminder that life is hard 
. Give me something uplifting, like a beautiful sunrise or a field of flowers anytime! 
. And can we talk about how interesting it is to see her personal experiences influencing her work? I mean, it's like you can see her own struggles with depression and whatnot in some of those paintings 
).
. And I love how she incorporates these little references to Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince and the exiled king of Italy... it's like she's weaving this narrative that's both personal and universal at the same time 
. But what's really fascinating is how her experiences with depression and loss have shaped her art in such a profound way 
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. And what's up with these references to Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince and the exiled king of Italy? Like, she's bringing this whole other world into these intense, personal works. Rego's got a way of tapping into that complex web of emotions that makes you feel seen and understood...and also kinda uncomfortable 
. It's like she's shining a super bright light into all the dark corners of human existence and I respect her for it, but sometimes I wonder if we're ready to face all these heavy emotions head-on 
. And yet, at the same time, there's this sense of depth and complexity that I think is really admirable 
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. But seriously, I love that Rego's art taps into her personal experiences and emotions - it's like she's speaking straight to your soul 
. Maybe this exhibition will be a great conversation starter for anyone who wants to talk about their own mental health struggles... or not 
. But it's not like she's just wallowing in misery or anything. She takes these tough topics and makes them into something beautiful and thought-provoking 
... but also kinda sad coz he passed away in 2004 
Paula Rego's art is like a mirror reflecting the darkest corners of our souls 
. I mean, who needs therapy when you have her latest exhibition 'Drawing from Life' 
. It's like she's holding up a mirror to her own struggles with depression and her relationship with her late husband 
