An inspiring visit to the Tate Britain

Do you know the work of Paula Rego?

She is an artist who takes you on a deep dive into the imagination, creating intense narratives drawn from ideas both personal and political, a dance of figures, props, toys, animals and plants; all inventively woven together in paintings and drawings that both invite and confront you.

Ever since I first saw her work when I was around 15/16 years old I have been moved and inspired by it. She speaks a visual language I feel instinctively in tune with. It was therefore a complete delight to visit the Tate Britain's major retrospective of her work this week.

Each painting felt like a conversation that opened my eyes and my mind a little more each time. They unlocked a door to space in my imagination that I had, for want of time, neglected for far too long, a space where ambitious narratives of my own are waiting to be painted.

Huge thank you Paula Rego for doing what you do so well and helping me re-engage with my own stories, giving them room to breathe and hopefully grow!