Paula Rego, Love, 1995, Pastel on paper on aluminum, 120 × 160 cm, Courtesy The Estate of Paula Rego and Victoria Miro
Paula Rego Estate, Paula Rego, Love, 1995, Pastel on paper on aluminum, 120 × 160 cm, Courtesy The Estate of Paula Rego and Victoria Miro

Paula Rego. The Personal is Political

Event location

Essen, Museum Folkwang

Dates

Next date:16.05.2025
Show all dates

Time

Start:10:00
End:20:00

The Museum Folkwang in Essen is dedicating a comprehensive retrospective to the important artist Paula Rego (1935-2022) entitled "The Personal and The Political". The exhibition shows over 120 works by the Portuguese-British painter, whose impressive paintings and drawings have been known for decades for their relentless examination of power structures, gender roles and social inequality. Rego, who had been working in England since the 1950s, repeatedly drew on personal experiences to create powerful visual worlds of collective memory. Particularly impressive is her iconic Abortion series from the 1990s, in which she commented on the political debate surrounding the abortion ban in Portugal and thus created a work of socially explosive power.

The exhibition not only provides an in-depth insight into the oeuvre of one of the most important figurative artists of our time, but also places it in a wider socio-political context. Transforming personal moments into images of collective experience was a central concern of feminist movements in the 1960s and 70s, which today seems more relevant than ever. The retrospective impressively traces Rego's artistic development and, in addition to paintings and drawings, also shows dolls that served as models for her complex compositions and are now considered autonomous works of art in their own right.

Important information about the event

  • Friday, 16 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:20:00
    Saturday, 17 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:18:00
    Sunday, 18 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:18:00
    Tuesday, 20 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:18:00
    Wednesday, 21 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:18:00
    Thursday, 22 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:20:00
    Friday, 23 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:20:00
    Saturday, 24 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:18:00
    Sunday, 25 May 2025
    Start:10:00
    End:18:00
  • from 9,00 Euro per person (adult)

    from 5,00 Euro per person (reduced)

    • exhibition

What else?Similar events

  • Brave new world of work. 1890-1940
    LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, Bonn
    Date: 13. Nov 2025 - 12. Apr 2026
    The exhibition "Brave new world of work. 1890-1940" at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn sheds light on the changes in the world of work and their artistic treatment.
    Brave new world of work. 1890-1940
  • William Kentridge. Triumphs and laments
    ,
    Date: 4. Sept 2025 - 18. Jan 2026
    The exhibition 'William Kentridge. Triumphs and Lamentations' at the Museum Folkwang honors the South African artist on the occasion of his 70th birthday and presents his multifaceted work.
    William Kentridge. Triumphs and laments
  • Tourismus NRW Logo
    Democratic cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025
    Sauerland-Museum, Arnsberg
    Date: 1. Oct 2025 - 30. Jun 2026
    The special exhibition at the Sauerland Museum sheds light on the social development of the Sauerland from 1925 to 2025, with a focus on democratic cultures.
    Democratic cultures in the Sauerland 1925-1975-2025
New tips every two months

Insider tips & excursion ideasNewsletter

Fancy some mail? Then subscribe here to our every two months newsletter with information on special travel offers, selected short tips for short trips and other insider tips for travelling in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Click here to register