Frida Kahlo: In her own image

Exclusive to Bendigo Art Gallery. Frida Kahlo: In her own image presents an intimate view of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. This exclusive exhibition features Kahlo’s personal belongings, clothing, make-up, accessories, and medical items, on loan from the Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico for the first time in Australia. Sealed in a bathroom for 50 years after Kahlo’s death, in her cherished family home, La Casa Azul, this precious collection’s rediscovery sheds new light on Kahlo’s carefully crafted appearance. In her vibrant clothing, dramatic use of make-up and adornment, and richly decorated medical prostheses, Kahlo constructed a captivating public image which addressed geopolitical issues of her time, cultural and social identity, and her own body. Following childhood polio and a near fatal accident at the age of 18, Kahlo boldly addressed her disabilities through her dress and on the canvas. Through photographs, documents, and personal mementoes, the exhibition considers the personal, political, philosophical, and artistic influences which shaped Kahlo’s distinctive worldview and informed her groundbreaking creative output. The exhibition also examines Kahlo’s ascent to become one of the most heavily mythologised and revered cult figures of our time, and her profound legacy in art and society. Proudly presented as part of Bendigo International Collections.