Frida Kahlo: Painting, Politics and Patriotism

Frida Kahlo is considered an Icon and as one of the great artists of the 20th century.The, Study Day will look at her life, work and times. The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) is considered to be one of the great artists of the 20th century. The lectures will look at her life, work and times. Kahlo often plagued by ill health, lived the intervening years of her life to the full. She celebrated her vibrant Mexican heritage in her paintings and her life; in haunting self-portraits, exploring her dreams, fears and desires. A keen collector of Mexican folk art, she was often flamboyantly dressed in Mexican garments. She sold very few paintings during her lifetime but today she has cult status. Her 'look' inspires countless fashion designers. The Study Day will coincide with a major Tate exhibition of her paintings, but the day will also feature photographs and memorabilia from her archives; as well as work by her contemporaries and by artists she inspired from later generations. Kahlo and her circle were inspired by pre-Columbian art, contemporary indigenous cultures, and the ideals of the Mexican Revolution. An explosion of creativity had followed the 1910 Revolution, as intellectuals, artists and photographers rejected European values and espoused mexicanidad . In 1929, Kahlo married the celebrated Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. United by their passion for their country, they shared the socialist ideals of the Mexican Revolution. Importantly, Frida Kahlo celebrated her vibrant Mexican heritage in her paintings and her life. A keen collector of Mexican folk art, Kahlo was often flamboyantly dressed in Mexican garments. As Chloë Sayer will show, Kahlo used clothing and jewellery to express her pride in her cultural heritage. She also had a deep affection for popular festive traditions including the Day of the Dead. While Frida was alive, she sold very few paintings. Today, however, she has cult status. Her 'look' inspires countless fashion designers. The Blue House, where she lived and died in Mexico City, attracts over 25,000 visitors each month. Feminists admire her for her independence of spirit, by the LGBTQ community for her non-conformity, and by the disabled for her courage in the face of adversity. The term ‘Fridamania’ is often used to describe the intense level of admiration that she now attracts. This Study Day is timed to coincide with a major exhibition at Tate Modern: ‘Frida: The Making of an Icon ’ (25 June 2025 – 3 Jan 2027). In addition to her paintings, it will feature photographs and memorabilia from her archives; also work by her contemporaries and by artists she inspired from later generations