Paula Rego - Rugby Art Gallery & Museum
PAULA REGO: Visions of English Literature
26 September - 21 November 2026
A Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition from Southbank Centre, London
Paula Rego: Visions of English Literature will present three of the artist’s most ambitious series of graphic works; Jane Eyre, Nursery Rhymes and Peter Pan. Each series will be accompanied by a variety of personal items from the artist, many of which have never been publicly displayed before.
Unseen preparatory sketches, etching plates and Rego’s very own childhood copy of Peter Pan will offer audiences an intimate portrayal of the artist’s lifelong fascination with literature and an insight into how the artist transformed this material into startlingly original, rebellious and unexpected images.
image Three Blind Mice II © Ostrich Arts Ltd | Paula Rego Estate
Courtesy Ostrich Arts Ltd and Cristea Roberts Gallery

Rego Events
UNVEILED EVENTS
LAUNCH EVENT
Friday 25 September, 6pm - 8pm
ALL WELCOME
Join us for the opening evening of this ambitious exhibition celebrating startling original and rebellious art of Paula Rego
Paula Rego: Printmaker
A talk with Paul Coldwell
Thursday 22 October, 6.30pm - 8pm
£5.00 per ticket
Paul Coldwell worked with Paula Rego on all her etchings between 1987-2006 including the Nursery Rhymes, Peter Pan and the Abortion prints and continued their friendship until her passing in 2022. This illustrated talk focuses on the role of printmaking within Rego’s overall practice and offers a unique insight, gleaned from such a close working relationship, into how these prints came into being. The talk will explore broad themes around Rego’s prints including, her relationship to graphic traditions, her changing working methods and the importance she placed on her prints.

Paula Rego: Secrets and Stories
Film showing : FREE but booking required
Thursday 12 November
6.30pm- 8pm, 18+
A unique insight into the life and work of celebrated painter Paula Rego directed by her son, the film maker Nick Willing. Notoriously private and guarded, Rego opens up for the first time surprising her son with secrets and stories of her unique life, battling fascism, a misogynistic art world and manic depression.

Image Credits
© Ostrich Arts Ltd | Paula Rego Estate
Courtesy Ostrich Arts Ltd and Cristea Roberts Gallery
The Nursery Rhymes, 1989:
Jack and Jill, 1989
Three Blind Mice II, 1989
Hey diddle diddle, 1989
Wendy sewing on Peter's Shadow, 1992
Mr Rochester, 2002
UNVEILED VOLUNTEERING
If you are passionate about art and enjoy engaging with people we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to be involved with the Paula Rego exhibition'
UNVEILED VISITING
To make sure that people of all ages are able to enjoy the Rugby Collection, we’ve invited local schools to come along and enjoy the exhibition. Please be aware that during school visits, the gallery will possibly be busier and noisier than usual.
Thank you for your understanding.
Dates are as follows
Wednesday 11 March 10-11.15am
Wednesday 11 March 12.30-1.45pm
Friday 13 March 10-11.15am
Friday 13 March 12.30-1.45pm
Wednesday 18 March 10-10.45am
Wednesday 18 March 12.30-1.45pm
Friday 20 March 10-11.15am
Wednesday 25 March 10-10.45am
Friday 27 March 10-11.15am
Friday 27 March 12.30-1.45pm
Wednesday 15 April 1.15-2.45pm
Tuesday 28 April 11.45am-12.45pm