The exhibition, titled ‘Dance Among Thorns’, delves into the themes of power and vulnerability, desire and anger with “a mix of humor and seriousness”, as highlighted by the museum. These are central themes in the work of the “influential political artist and feminist icon”.
The exhibition showcases figurative paintings with vivid colors and vivid imagination, reflecting the influence of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1863-1944).
‘Dance Among Thorns’ represents the most comprehensive display of the artist’s work since the retrospective exhibition at the Tate Britain in 2021, a year before her passing, noted the Norwegian museum.
One of Paula Rego’s most important paintings is ‘The Dance’ (1988), a large canvas depicting eight figures dancing under moonlight on a beach, which draws direct parallels with Munch’s ‘The Dance of Life’ (1899), the museum indicates.
Born in Lisbon in 1935 during Salazar’s dictatorial regime, Paula Rego, who later became a British citizen, lived in a period marked by severe restrictions on freedom and women’s rights.
In the 1990s, she actively participated in the discussion over the legalization of abortion in Portugal, which was eventually legalized in 2007.
A significant portion of the exhibition is dedicated to the ‘Untitled’ series, featuring pastels that depict the impact of authoritarian regimes on women’s sexuality, bodies, and mental health.
At 17, Paula Rego moved to London to study at the Slade School of Art, establishing a career marked by the fusion of cultural and literary traditions from both Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Her work, strongly figurative, reflects personal experiences and uses myths, tales, and folk narratives to explore the darker aspects of the human condition.
The exhibition at the Munch museum highlights the breadth of Paula Rego’s artistic production, from early abstract collages to textile sculptures and figurative panoramas, where humor and gravity coexist in works addressing universal themes such as power, sexuality, and primal emotions.
In addition to Paula Rego’s works, the exhibition includes three works on paper by Edvard Munch, further emphasizing the dialogue between these two artists.
The exhibition is open to the public from April 24 to August 2, 2026.
