The Guardian 2008

Curator: Here we have Paula Rego's "The Guardian," currently held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It's incredibly unsettling. That looming shadow, the vigilant figure... it feels like a fairytale warped into something sinister. Curator: Shadows often suggest hidden aspects of the self or repressed anxieties. The guardian figure could be seen as a symbol of both protection and control, a visual representation of inner conflict. Editor: Exactly! The child looks so vulnerable, but the "guardian" has a predatory feel about her, like a wolf in grandma's clothing. Curator: Rego often explores power dynamics within relationships, particularly those between women. Fairytales are a recurring theme, reflecting childhood fears and societal expectations. Editor: The textures and washes contribute to that unease as well. It’s definitely not the cozy bedtime story you'd expect. Curator: Indeed. Rego's work is designed to provoke, to challenge our preconceived notions. Editor: It certainly gets under your skin, in the best possible way. It is like stepping into a dream that teeters on the edge of nightmare.