LONDON IS HOT, AND SO IS THIS SHOW, FRIDA: THE MAKING OF AN ICON AT TATE MODERN
- James Nicholls
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
With London experiencing one of the hottest weeks of the summer, there could hardly be a more appropriate moment to visit one of the capital's hottest exhibitions.
FRIDA: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern explores not only the extraordinary art of Frida Kahlo, but the remarkable woman behind an image that has become recognised around the world.
Her life was marked by extraordinary adversity. Diagnosed with polio at the age of six, and then seriously injured in a horrific bus accident as a teenager, Kahlo endured numerous operations and a lifetime of physical pain. Her turbulent marriage to the celebrated Mexican artist Diego Rivera became another defining chapter in a life of extraordinary intensity.
Yet from those experiences emerged an artist of remarkable individuality, resilience and determination. Kahlo transformed her identity, her relationships and her physical and emotional pain into art that was intensely personal, yet ultimately universal.
Today, decades after her death, her influence extends far beyond the paintings themselves. Frida Kahlo has become a global cultural icon and one of the most inspirational and instantly recognisable artists of the modern era.
Having lived in Texas, I was also particularly pleased to see the contribution of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, another reminder of the importance of international museum collaboration and the extraordinary philanthropic tradition that supports great art and helps bring it to audiences around the world.
Congratulations to Tate Modern on bringing together an exhibition that provides such a fascinating perspective on the life, art and enduring cultural influence of Frida Kahlo.
In this short introduction for The Art Review, I take a first look at FRIDA: The Making of an Icon, with my interview with the exhibition's curator to follow.
If you're in London this summer, this is one to see.
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Warm regards
James
James Nicholls
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