Obedience and Defiance, a new retrospective of Paula Rego, opens today at MK Gallery. It is the first major overview of the iconic Portuguese painter’s work to be held in England for over twenty years. The exhibition includes previously unseen paintings and works on paper, and reflects Rego’s perspective as a woman immersed in urgent social issues and current affairs. Themes of violence, gender discrimination and political tyranny bind the show together, with difficult, painful issues—from slavery to abortion— never shied away from. The exhibition runs until 22 September.
