‘The triumph… is a magnificent presentation of paintings and stuffed figures by Paula Rego’ – Laura Cumming reviews the Venice Biennale

'Of the 213 artists, only 21 are men, which represents a complete reversal. More striking still is the novelty of walking through half a mile of art with scarcely a single male body in sight. The triumph, by general consent, is a magnificent presentation of paintings and stuffed figures by Paula Rego, their climax an altarpiece of old cabinets filled with women from literature and folklore who have fallen from grace. Some are grown up but still wearing their Foundling hospital uniforms, one clutching a foundling of her own. Society will never let them be free of their past.'

 

Read the full review here

 

Image: Works by Paula Rego featured in the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – The Milk of Dreams, curated by Cecilia Alemani

 

April 24 2022