An Embracing Tussle

Many artists are charged with changing the course of art—for Pablo Picasso, it’s almost an understatement. Born in 1881, the Spanish painter (and sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist and theatre designer) was at the forefront of Cubism, creating famous works that continue to captivate in their formal audacity, and their complicated personal and political resonances. For more than 70 of his 91 years, Picasso contributed to—and changed—20th century art.

Ahead of the National Gallery of Victoria’s , which features over 70 works by Picasso and another 100 by creatives he was in dialogue with, we asked five artists—Eleanor Louise Butt, Yvette Coppersmith, Euan Heng, Wendy Sharpe, and John Wolseley—to each reflect on one Picasso painting in the exhibition.