Paula Rego is one of the most influential British and Portuguese artists, whose works served as an inspiration for countless generations to come. Culling from children literature, old folks stories, Disney cartoons and grim fairy tales, artist Paula Rego juxtaposes fantasy and reality, innocence and cruelty, to depict the contradictions of human life. By confronting the personal and the political, the artist explores complex political issues and personal family tragedies, putting women and girls at the forefront of her grotesque narratives.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Portugal in 1935, Paula Rego is one of the most relevant contemporary female artists. She got interested in art at an early age under the influence of her mother, who was also an artist. When she was one year old, her parents moved to the United Kingdom for work purposes, but Paula remained in her grandmother’s care until 1939. The grandmother was a pivotal figure in her formative years telling her the folk stories that will later become the main inspiration for her work.
Apart from traditional Portuguese stories, the artist’s work was particularly influenced by growing up…
