When the artist Frida Kahlo was a teenager in 1920s Mexico, she was inspired by the huge, colourful new murals that were lighting up the streets. They were the post-revolutionary government’s strategy to bring the country together, by creating inspiring images of Mexico’s rich cultures and history. Kahlo was utterly mesmerised by the work of her future husband Diego Riviera, who came to paint a mural at her school, but as she found her own artistic voice, she mostly chose to work on a smaller, more intimate scale.
Now, a new generation of young artists are taking Kahlo’s visions to the streets of London, and translating the themes, hues and politics of her work into big, bold pieces of outdoor art. Six murals inspired by Kahlo’s work – all by emerging artists under 25 – have popped up around London’s South Bank, to tie in with a massive new retrospective of her art at Tate Modern, opening on Thursday June 25. ‘Frida: The Making of an Icon’ is already the highest pre-selling exhibition in the Tate Modern’s history, with more than 35,000 tickets already sold. These murals will spread awareness even further, but they’ll also have a long afterlife on Bankside, as they’re due to remain in place for several years.
The Fridamania doesn’t stop there. Head to Soho’s Carnaby Street and you’ll find ‘¡Frida Icónica!’, a vibrant public art installation designed by Mexican artist Alejandra Ballesteros. It’ll deck the street with garlands of traditional papel picado (cut paper) decorated by scenes from Kahlo’s life and work, with a central anamorphic image that’ll show the artist’s profile when viewed from the right angle.
And if you’re on the hunt for yet more Frida, then look out and you’ll also spot reimagined takes on her work on the walls of Blackfriars station, and on the giant screens of Piccadilly Circus.
Here’s a full list of all the Frida Kahlo-inspired art to spot in London this summer:
Frida Kahlo-Inspired Art Locations in London
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‘Paisajes Mexicanos’ by Amy Almeida, at 25 Sumner Street, SE1 9JA
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‘Dining Table’ by Eddie Donaldson, at 28 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0UE
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‘Tea Break (Expanded)’ by Milena de Rosa, at 55 Ewer Street, SE1 0NR
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‘Rooted in Play’ by Helena Samarasinghe, at 30 Great Guildford Street, SE1 0HS
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‘Long Live London’ by Gloria Da Silva, at 28 Southwark Street, SE1 1TU
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‘Here and Now’ by Sharloola, at 5 Green Dragon Court, SE1 9AW
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Blackfriars mural at Thames Path, Blackfriars Station, SE1 8NJ
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Piccadilly Circus display will be visible at 20:30pm on Saturday June 20
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‘¡Frida Icónica!’ by Alejandra Ballesteros, at Carnaby Street, Soho. Thursday June 25-September.
In search of more art? Here are the 10 best exhibitions on in London right now.
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