Drawing for ‘The Dance’ 1988

Curator: Paula Rego's drawing for 'The Dance', part of the Tate Collections, presents a circle of figures rendered in ink on paper. Editor: Oh, it's moody, isn't it? Like a memory half-faded, or a ghostly gathering under a stormy sky. Curator: Rego's work often grapples with themes of power, gender, and childhood, filtered through her Portuguese heritage and the shadow of dictatorship. Editor: There's a raw, almost unsettling energy in that circle. It's like they're caught in a loop, both joyful and desperate. The ink washes create such lovely movement. Curator: Her figures frequently challenge conventional representations of women, exploring darker, more complex narratives. Editor: It makes me think about the dances we do in life, the roles we play, and the stories etched in our bodies. Curator: A powerful work for considering the interplay of history, memory, and representation. Editor: It's definitely a dance that stays with you, long after the music stops.