In an extraordinary showcase of talent and passion, the Art Gallery of South Australia is presenting the highly anticipated exhibition, Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution.
Opening its doors to the public from today, this Australian-exclusive exhibition brings together iconic works by two of the most influential and beloved artists of the twentieth century – Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera – alongside the creations of their Mexican contemporaries.
Love, passion, and politics are the driving forces behind Frida & Diego. The remarkable couple, known for their radical art and politics, stood at the forefront of the artistic and cultural avant-garde in post-revolution Mexico from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Today, they are revered globally for their ability to seamlessly blend traditional Mexican folk art with international modernism, creating a unique artistic legacy that continues to captivate audiences.
Curated from the extensive Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, this major exhibition features over 150 works, including paintings, works on paper, photographs, and period clothing.
It’s a rare and once in a lifetime privilege to see as many self-portraits of Frida in one place. The last time portraits of Frida were seen in Australia was in the 1990s.
The exhibition not only places Kahlo and Rivera within the broader context of Mexican Modernism but also showcases the artistry of Manuel and Lola Álvarez Bravo, Miguel Covarrubias, María Izquierdo, Carlos Mérida, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and other prominent artists of the time.
At the grand opening last night, Minister for Arts, Andrea Michaels, set the tone with her excitement about what this exhibition will bring to the state.
“What you’re about to see downstairs is spectacular – it’s a little touch of Mexico. People will come from overseas and interstate to see the collection which has never been to Australia before. This is an example of world class events held right here in Adelaide, it shines a light on what our state can do on a world stage,” Andrea said.
Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution invites Australian audiences into the intimate everyday stories of life, love, and the grand narratives that surround the political, social, and cultural identity of Mexico and its people throughout the twentieth century.
It is a unique opportunity to explore the vitality of modern Mexican art and delve into the enduring allure of Frida Kahlo.
“Each generation brings a new lens through which to view the phenomenon that is Frida Kahlo. A twenty-first-century muse, Kahlo is today revered as a feminist and as a singular political and creative force. Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution speaks to the influence and ingenuity of art practice in Mexico and aims to recontextualize the foremost presence of Kahlo within our society today,” AGSA Director Rhana Devenport ONZM said when the exhibition was first announced.
This immersive exhibition transports visitors into the vibrant and creative world of Mexico’s art scene in the early twentieth century, from the inception of the Mexican cultural revolution to the turbulent love affair between Kahlo and Rivera. Kahlo’s unyielding exploration of self-identity, despite physical limitations, resulted in bold and commanding statements that retain their social, cultural, and feminist potency, continuing to resonate with people to this day.
Prepare to be captivated by the power of love and art as you journey through the Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
This extraordinary display of talent and vision promises to leave a lasting impression on all who experience it.
Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution
Where: Art Gallery of South Australia
When: Saturday 24th June – Sunday 17th September 2023
Price: Adult $28
More info: Click here
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