Frida on the bench, 1939, photograph by Nickolas Muray © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
This summer, London’s famed Victoria and Albert Museum will present Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up. Featuring a colorful collection of Kahlo’s personal possessions, the highly anticipated exhibition will explore the Mexican artist’s identity through authentic artifacts and intimate photographs.
Featuring over 200 objects from Kahlo’s home, La Casa Azul (“The Blue House”), Making Her Self Up offers “a fresh perspective on Kahlo’s compelling life story.” These one-of-a-kind objects include Kahlo’s clothing—such as a series of her signature embroidered skirts—as well as handcrafted accessories and half-used cosmetics. In addition to vibrant frocks and beautiful jewelry, however, the exhibit will also incorporate items that paint a darker picture of the artist’s troubled life, including her medical corsets, medications, and prosthetic leg.
This hoard of treasures was hidden shortly after Kahlo’s death in 1954 by Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist she had remarried in 1940. Since it was uncovered in 2004, the collection has only been displayed in Mexico, making its monumental V&A debut even more special.
Sponsored by Grosvenor Britain & Ireland and created in close collaboration with Museo Frida Kahlo, this exciting exhibition will be on display from June 16 through November 14, 2018 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This summer, Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up will be on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Frida Kahlo in blue satin blouse, 1939, photograph by Nickolas Muray © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
The unique Frida Kahlo exhibit uses the artist’s belongings to tell her life story.
Frida Kahlo with Olmec figurine, 1939, photograph by Nickolas Muray © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
These possessions range from clothing and accessories to health-related objects.
Guatemalan cotton coat worn with Mazatec huipil and plain floor-length skirt, Museo Frida Kahlo © Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
Cottonhuipilwith machine-embroidered chain stitch; printed cotton skirt with embroidery and holán. Ensemble from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Photograph Javier Hinojosa. © Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
Necklace of silver, enamel, turquoise and coral with hinged compartment, made by Matilde Poulat, Mexico City, c.1950. Museo Frida Kahlo. Photograph Javier Hinojosa. © Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
Revlon compact and powderpuff with blusher in ‘Clear Red’ and Revlon lipstick in ‘Everything’s Rosy’; emery boards and eyebrow pencil in ‘Ebony’. Before 1954. Photograph Javier Hinojosa.© Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
Prosthetic leg with leather boot. Appliquédsilk with embroidered Chinese motifs. Photograph Javier Hinojosa. Museo Frida Kahlo. © Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
Additionally, a collection of intimate photographs will accompany the authentic artifacts.
Frida Kahlo,c. 1926. Museo Frida Kahlo. © Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
This exciting exhibition will be on display from June 16 through November 14, 2018 at the V&A Museum.
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All images via the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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