PHILADELPHIA, PA.-This February Projects Gallery proudly presents Frida and Me, Common Threads. Inspired by the centennial exhibition of the world-renown Frida Kahlo at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (February 20 until May 18), four contemporary Latina artists join together to celebrate and express their common connections. Doris Nogueira-Rogers, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle, and Marta Sanchez present works that reflect on the intertwining relationships between various identities and cultures of Latin American female artists.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Doris Nogueira- Rogers exhibits the passion of Brazil in her art. Through her use of stimulating colors, lines, shapes, and texture, she exerts the visual impact of Nature as a form of preservation and celebration.

Michelle Angela Ortiz reflects her ancestral roots by visual representation of her spirituality and culture. Striving to document her personal evolution of struggles, triumphs, and transitions, a sense of nostalgia and sentiment are the major themes of her creative expression.

Known for her creative and diverse approach to mixed-media art, Marilyn Rodriguez-Behrle’s inspiration stems from observations of her community. The use of found objects in her work best represent the resonance of her personal struggles in her environment.

Focusing her art on traditional Mexican Folk Art, Marta Sanchez seeks to narrate the relationships between family and friends, as well as representing hopes, prayers, and humanity of the common man through the art of Retablo, the offspring of Mexican prayer paintings.

The personal yet universal experiences belonging to these four diverse artists intricately reflect their common threads to Frida Kahlo’s life and creative output. Kahlo was one of the most acclaimed Mexican painters of the 20th Century. Building upon the foundation of Kahlo’s legacy, these artists display vibrant work that symbolizes their individual experiences in the context of gender, identity, and culture. Frida and Me, Common Threads expresses the significance and complexity of Latin American contemporary art that speaks with a distinct volume and dialogue of its own.


Frida and Me, Common Threads will be open from February 1- 23, 2008.
Opening Reception will take place on Frist Friday, February 1st, 2008 5-8 pm with a special reading from Las Gallas Artist Collective.