Wednesday 13 June 2018

Frida Kahlo : Making Her Self Up at the Victoria and Albert Museum


I was lucky enough to go to the preview 
this morning of the upcoming 


It was much more in depth than I expected.

It had paintings of course.


And drawings.

And personal letters she wrote to her family while she was in America.

 But there were more intimate and unexpected artefacts and souvenirs such as her back braces.

Up close, they were so well crafted that they were reminiscent of couture level items.

Also included were plasters before she wore her back braces.

This was the plaster when she was expecting.


She wore it so proudly.



As the V&A is becoming renown for, 
they had a whole room dedicated with her clothes 
that were in the archives or on display at the Blue House
her home in Mexico city which is now a museu.

 The blouses which will surely be coming to a Zara or H&M near you are the traditional Mexican blouses called 'huipil'.

The shawls she loved were called 'rebozos'.
They were mostly handmade and the items 
she prized the most in her wardrobe.




Some of the jewellery she handmade.


This was her prosthetic leg she wore after her tram accident.



One of the more interesting items at the gift shop was this curtain with Frida printed in the traditional Mexican style.

I hope that most of you can make it but this post was more for those people who won't be able to make it so hope you enjoyed the tour.
The first week is sold out unless you are a member so make sure you become a friend or book your tickets in advance.
Please also check the website if you are a Frida fan.

11 comments:

  1. Very much hope her style of dress comes back. The color and fullness
    is so much more expressive and interesting than those godawful tights every woman seems to wear nowadays.

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    Replies
    1. Some color would be nice. Tights are great for skiing bc it keeps you warm but otherwise I find them tedious too

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  2. Hello Naomi, As you said, there is so much unexpected material here. It makes me realize how little I knew about Kahlo, so now I am off to read about her life in a little more detail.

    Thanks for the info and heads-up,
    Jim

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    Replies
    1. I was pleasantly surprised too. The few paintings they had were very good but I loved the whole general tribute to her. Funny bc I wanted to go to Mexico in November but now i might not go bc all the good stuff is in London!

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  3. I was lucky to see the clothing exhibit at Frida and Diego's house in Mexico City in January. It was a fascinating exhibition and such an insight into the physical pain she must have suffered by her injuries and the careful use of tools such as back braces and the careful draping of clothing to camouflage her "deformity". I wonder if this message on disability would be tolerated today. The house is magical; so beautifully and tastefully decorated and the only house that comes close to that feel of great beauty yet simplicity on entering was Noel's Cowards house "Firefly" in Jamaica.

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    Replies
    1. You are so lucky! My friend went around that time too and loved it. I was going to go but might wait so I can get the full exhibition there. I think we are on shaky times and it might not be allowed in a few years or decades time. I just love the fact that as a true artist she would transform all things and put a new perspective on it. I want to go to firefly too - so many places to go Yvonne...:)

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  4. I made a comment but it got eaten!
    I’ve seen Frida exhibitions in London at the Tate, also in Mexico City. I love her work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is so annoying when that happens!!

      I love her I think more than her work if that makes sense bc she seemed to make everything around her artistic but her Diego thing was still annoying LOL

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  5. This is going to be a must see exhibition for me. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of booking a ticket in advance. Frida's clothes look fabulous, what treasure trove for all these items to have been only recently discovered.

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  6. BACK BRACES AND A FAKE LEG...........I NEED TO READ MORE ABOUT FRIDA!!!!!!!!
    THANK YOU I WILL NOT MAKE IT TO SEE............GLAD YOU DID!

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  7. I relish, result in I discovered exactly what I used to be
    having a look for. You've ended my 4 day lengthy hunt!
    God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

    ReplyDelete

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