Dimensions: frame: 1539 x 1843 x 45 mm
Copyright: © Paula Rego | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Editor: Paula Rego's "The Firemen of Alijo," is quite the spectacle! I’m struck by its peculiar figures and the way they seem to be caught in a chaotic dance. What symbolic weight do you think these figures carry? Curator: Notice how Rego uses the imagery of firemen— traditionally figures of rescue—but twists them into something more ambiguous, almost surreal. What cultural narratives are being disrupted here? Could these be figures of a different kind of "rescue," one more personal or psychological? Editor: That’s a compelling idea. I hadn't considered the psychological aspect. Curator: Rego often uses familiar archetypes to explore deeper, unsettling truths. It’s a re-imagining of roles and power. Editor: It’s fascinating how she subverts expectations through familiar symbols. Thanks!
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http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/rego-the-firemen-of-alijo-t07778
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Paula Rego used her own expressive drawings to create this richly layered collage. The technique gave her the freedom to explore themes of moral, social and political revolt. Her focus was the Portuguese dictatorship and the suffering it caused. Living in London, Rego reflected on the hardships people were experiencing under the oppressive regime in her home country. This painting stems from a memory the artist had of volunteer firemen, barefoot and huddled against the cold in a small town in northern Portugal. Gallery label, September 2023
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