ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.- The DaliThe Dali Museum. examines the strength, the mind, the loves and life of the most celebrated female artist of all time. Frida Kahlo’s works have achieved significant importance in art, popular culture and the politics of personal identity. The exhibition features more than 60 pieces including 15 original paintings – many of them among Kahlo’s own favorites – seven drawings, and more than 45 of her personal photographs. Running through April 17, 2017, Frida Kahlo at The Dali is Florida’s first solo exhibition of works by Kahlo.
The exhibition, curated by The Dali’s Executive Director Dr. Hank Hine and the Museum’s Curator of Exhibitions, Dr. William Jeffett, celebrates the beautiful yet tumultuous life of the iconic artist. There are, in a sense, two Fridas: the suffering, pain-wracked Frida and the Frida alive to the joys of the universe. The exhibition demonstrates that despite her troubles, Frida’s legacy is her redeeming art and indomitable spirit.
The Museum creates exhibitions that compare or contrast in some way the relationship between the exhibiting artist and Salvador Dali; this exhibit sheds light on a number of profound similarities between Kahlo and Dali: their connection to dream, their yearning to embrace the cosmos, their fixations on an intensely loved companion. Both artists also meaningfully constructed their identities as part of their artwork, looked the part and lived it for the public.
“Much like Dali, Frida Kahlo was engaged in other interests outside of her art, such as Mexican culture, global politics, feminism, gardening and fashion,” said Hine. “When it came to suffering, she depicted hers as individual and real, but also as something more: a story of the human condition. Her misery is redemptive. She seems to say, ‘this is what I have, against all duration and all cruelty of fate, and I triumph still.’”
In conjunction with the exhibit, The Dali will host a variety of programs that engage visitors in journaling and gardening, two of Kahlo’s favorite pastimes; as well as programs focused on Mexican heritage and gender in relation to modern art. A monumental homage to Frida’s garden at her home in Mexico, Casa Azul, has been constructed in the Museum’s Avant-garden and is featured on the free audio tour guide which accompanies the exhibition, narrated by Academy Award winning actor Susan Sarandon. There will also be myriad film screenings by prominent Mexican directors such as Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron and Luis Bunuel. Cafe Gala will periodically feature Mexican-inspired specials and the Museum’s Store will boast a large collection of Frida Kahlo-inspired merchandise including home and outdoor decor, collectibles, books and more.
“The Frida Kahlo exhibit is opening at an exciting time for The Dali,” said Kathy Greif, Dali Museum Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer. “In addition to this captivating show, we just reintroduced – now as a permanent installation – our award winning virtual reality experience, Dreams of Dali. And we recently debuted a stunning 17-foot steel mustache in the Avant- garden created by local sculptor Donald Gialanella. We hope visitors will be delighted by all these new offerings, making it the perfect time to visit…again.”
Frida Kahlo at The Dali has been co-organized by The Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, FL and the Museo Dolores Olmedo, Mexico City. The exhibit also features works from the Vicente Wolf photographic collection.
