Paula Rego's artistic process has always been deeply personal, and her collaborations with playwright Martin McDonagh are no exception. In 2004, Rego approached McDonagh, asking for permission to name some of her paintings after his play The Pillowman. The result was a series of works that explored the darker side of human nature, tackling themes such as torture, abortion, and the complexities of artistic expression.
Rego's fascination with McDonagh's stories was immediate and intense. She had been drawn in by the raw emotion and brutality of the play, which explored the relationship between creativity and suffering. The Pillowman itself is a powerful anti-hero, a writer whose imagination is ruthlessly policed in a totalitarian state. Rego's own experiences with censorship and control are well-documented, having grown up in Portugal under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar.
Rego's connection to McDonagh's stories goes far beyond mere inspiration. Her own life has been marked by trauma and loss, including a series of backstreet abortions as an art student at London's Slade School, where she was forced to abandon her studies due to financial constraints. This experience would later inform some of the most powerful works in her oeuvre, including a haunting triptych depicting a woman slumped over an abortion, surrounded by floral wallpaper and the bloody remnants of the procedure.
One story from McDonagh's series stands out: that of a piglet who rescues a scarecrow from a wildfire only to see it crucified on its own skull. Rego's response is a disturbing work featuring a cow-skulled scarecrow looming over a decapitated pig's head, with a sleeping girl in the background, symbolizing her guilt at watching her inheritance go up in flames.
The McDonagh series has been hailed as Rego's most accomplished work during this period, and its impact can be seen across much of her oeuvre. From Camouflaged Hands, featuring Rego's own hands obscured by mysterious objects, to the enigmatic turtle-like figure with hands, Willing attributes these works to Rego's struggle with depression and the weight she places on herself as an artist.
The resulting exhibition at Cristea Roberts Gallery focuses on this period of Rego's life, spanning three years during which she produced a staggering number of pastels and prints. The result is a deeply personal exploration of creativity, trauma, and the human condition – a testament to Rego's enduring legacy as one of the 20th century's greatest artists.
For McDonagh, collaborating with Rego was an unforgettable experience that pushed him out of his comfort zone. "To be a tiny part of the art of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century is mind-blowing to me," he says. Though a picture book project never materialized, the influence of their collaboration can still be felt in Rego's most recent works.
Ultimately, it is the intricate web of connections that binds Rego and McDonagh together – a thread that weaves through the darker corners of human experience. Their unlikely partnership has resulted in some of Paula Rego's most powerful work to date, an enduring testament to the transformative power of art in the face of adversity.
Rego's fascination with McDonagh's stories was immediate and intense. She had been drawn in by the raw emotion and brutality of the play, which explored the relationship between creativity and suffering. The Pillowman itself is a powerful anti-hero, a writer whose imagination is ruthlessly policed in a totalitarian state. Rego's own experiences with censorship and control are well-documented, having grown up in Portugal under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar.
Rego's connection to McDonagh's stories goes far beyond mere inspiration. Her own life has been marked by trauma and loss, including a series of backstreet abortions as an art student at London's Slade School, where she was forced to abandon her studies due to financial constraints. This experience would later inform some of the most powerful works in her oeuvre, including a haunting triptych depicting a woman slumped over an abortion, surrounded by floral wallpaper and the bloody remnants of the procedure.
One story from McDonagh's series stands out: that of a piglet who rescues a scarecrow from a wildfire only to see it crucified on its own skull. Rego's response is a disturbing work featuring a cow-skulled scarecrow looming over a decapitated pig's head, with a sleeping girl in the background, symbolizing her guilt at watching her inheritance go up in flames.
The McDonagh series has been hailed as Rego's most accomplished work during this period, and its impact can be seen across much of her oeuvre. From Camouflaged Hands, featuring Rego's own hands obscured by mysterious objects, to the enigmatic turtle-like figure with hands, Willing attributes these works to Rego's struggle with depression and the weight she places on herself as an artist.
The resulting exhibition at Cristea Roberts Gallery focuses on this period of Rego's life, spanning three years during which she produced a staggering number of pastels and prints. The result is a deeply personal exploration of creativity, trauma, and the human condition – a testament to Rego's enduring legacy as one of the 20th century's greatest artists.
For McDonagh, collaborating with Rego was an unforgettable experience that pushed him out of his comfort zone. "To be a tiny part of the art of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century is mind-blowing to me," he says. Though a picture book project never materialized, the influence of their collaboration can still be felt in Rego's most recent works.
Ultimately, it is the intricate web of connections that binds Rego and McDonagh together – a thread that weaves through the darker corners of human experience. Their unlikely partnership has resulted in some of Paula Rego's most powerful work to date, an enduring testament to the transformative power of art in the face of adversity.
their stuff sounds super dark and intense... like, isn't it a bit much? 
i mean, don't get me wrong, rego's art is amazing and all, but some of these themes might be a bit too heavy for casual fans 
she's always been open about her struggles with trauma and censorship, but does this collab feel like more than just a way to tap into that? 
it was like watching a cute little ninja move... I mean, who knew sloths were so cool? anyway, Paula Rego's artwork always makes me think of my grandma's old armchair - have you ever seen one with all those intricate carvings on the back? I bet she'd love Rego's stuff. Reminds me, I need to get some new wallpaper for my living room... 
. And I love how McDonagh's words are being brought to life through Rego's incredible paintings - it's like they're having a conversation on canvas 
. The way Rego's trauma and loss are woven into her art is so raw and honest, it's almost too much to handle 
. But in a good way, you know? It's like she's holding up this mirror to the human condition, and it's beautiful 
. Anyways, I think this exhibition is going to be so thought-provoking - can't wait to check it out 
!
. But you can feel the pain and trauma in her work, and how she channels that into these beautiful, haunting paintings is just incredible 
. The fact that McDonagh was so open about his own experiences and emotions through their collaboration is pretty cool too - it shows that sometimes art can bring people together even when they're dealing with heavy stuff 
. Anyway, if you haven't checked out this exhibition yet, like, go now! 
! It's so fascinating to see how her collab with Martin McDonagh has brought out this darker side of human nature 
. I mean, who knew her art could be so raw and emotional? 
. The way Rego weaves these connections between art and human experience is just genius 
Her experiences with censorship and control under Salazar's dictatorship are so fascinating and I can totally see how those themes would tie in with McDonagh's plays... any artist who can tap into that kind of raw emotion is truly a genius in my book! 
Anyway, I'm totally sold on this exhibition, can't wait to see it in person! 
. And can we talk about how McDonagh is just as inspired by Rego - his writing is like, woah 
. Their collab might not have produced a picture book, but it's left us with so much more - an amazing body of work and a testament to the impact art can have on our lives 
! Her artwork is like a window into her soul, you know? The way she explores these dark themes like torture and loss... it's like she's giving us permission to confront our own demons 
. Her artwork is so raw and emotional, it's like you can feel her pain and struggles in every brushstroke. It's crazy to think that she was inspired by his play The Pillowman which explores such dark themes like torture and abortion 
.
. And the way McDonagh says his collab with Rego was mind-blowing... I can see why! It's not every day you get to work with someone as talented and influential as Rego 
Don't get me wrong, I love a good anti-hero story as much as the next person, but let's not jump to conclusions without some solid evidence. 
Her works are 72% more likely to have themes related to suffering, trauma, or creative expression compared to her non-McDonagh inspired pieces.
Did you know that in the US, there were over 1.5 million abortions performed between 1967-1973 alone? That's a staggering number considering the societal stigma and lack of access to safe abortions during that time.
And can we talk about how this exhibition is a testament to Rego's enduring legacy as one of the 20th century's greatest artists? She's still pushing boundaries and exploring the human condition in her work, even after all these years 