Paula Rego

Portuguese artist, who has lived mostly in England. Still working age 86. A feminist who often portrays strong women and has sometimes focussed on issues like abortion and fgm. Her stuff is complex (to me anyway) and there isn’t a simple message. She has said the reason she paints is “to give fear a face”. Much influenced by her childhood under the military dictatorship of Salazar in Portugal, where there were many deaths and disappearances. 
Above are from her nursery rhyme series:
- Rock a bye baby on the tree top
- Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow, with silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row
- Polly put the kettle on
-  Ride a cock horse to Banbury cross to see a fine lady upon a white horse
To me her work is challenging, chilling and exciting. It was WONDERFUL to go to an art gallery (quiet) and then have lunch there. We wore our masks and felt safe. 
This is the first time I’ve ever done a collage - I downloaded Diptic from the App Store, and was AMAZED to find I understood how to do it.  I don’t think works of art are a very good subject for a collage, partly because I couldn’t get then four square, and partly because of the loss of detail. But it is a strategy to not run out of extras by halfway through the year. 
Apologies for reflections on glass, it was that kind of room. 
PS I forgot to say,  this is on at the Arnolfini in Bristol. They are really up and running again and have other fantastic exhibitions planned for this year. So exciting