A new exhibition to explore the work of world-famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is to make its UK debut at Liverpool Central Library.
A large scale Frida Pinata has been donated by Mexican food company Wahaca to launch the exhibition and a mass piñata bash took place yesterday afternoon, welcoming members of the local press and media, city dignitaries and of course, hoard of local children keen to take a swipe.
The Frida and Me exhibition, developed by Paris’ Pompidou Centre (Frida et Moi), is aimed at children and their families and invites them to experience the inventiveness, the power and magic of Kahlo’s work in an active way.
Frida Kahlo, who died in 1954 at the age of 47, is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century and singer Madonna is one of her many collectors.
Curator Deidré Guevara Gallegos said:
“Frida and Me, is an exhibition-workshop based on the life and artwork of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, icon of modern art.
“Conceived by Centre Georges Pompidou of Paris together with the Government of Mexico, Frida and Me is a display of interactive devices where children, while playing, get involved in several notions of art.
“Frida Kahlo, shows through her painting, her family, loved ones, friends and pets, as well as her ideas, fears and desires.
“Using Frida’s self-portrait as the main axis and guide, children will be able to question themselves about notions of their own life.”
After its success in Paris, where 71,000 visitors enjoyed it, Liverpool’s Central Library was selected as the perfect venue to present this exhibition-workshop.
There will be no original Frida works in the exhibition although there will be many representations of her work.
Liverpool’s Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member responsible for libraries, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:
“I am delighted this exhibition is making its UK premiere in Central Library.
“It’s so important to engage young people creatively, and this exhibition will be the perfect way to help them tap in to the artist within.”
iVAMOS! Festival Director Nik Barrera said:
“We are thrilled to bring this highly successful exhibition to Liverpool for its UK debut.
“Frida is one of the most famous Latin artists in the world and this exhibition will give people on Merseyside, and beyond, the opportunity to explore her life.”
Emma Foxall, director of Monkey Mind Productions, who have partnered with iVAMOS! to co-deliver the festival, said:
“This innovative exhibition is a real coup for Liverpool.
“It is the start of iVAMOS! Liverpool’s art programme and during the lifetime of the exhibition there will be featured workshops and talks on the life and work of Frida Kahlo from visiting artists and Liverpool University Latin American studies staff and students offering plenty of opportunities to get involved.”
iVAMOS! is a nationally-renowned festival which has been running in the North East of England for a decade – and this year sees it expand to Liverpool for the first time.
iVAMOS! has delivered 380 events to an audience of over 300,000 and is supported by Arts Council England, the Government of Mexico as part of the Year of Mexico in UK 2015, Liverpool City Council, St. Georges Hall, MX Proyecta, Wahaca, Hotel Indigo, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill.
In celebrating Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures, iVAMOS! combines cuisine, art, film, theatre, dance, music, literature, fashion, sport and education offering an international festival appealing to partners and diverse mainstream audiences.
iVAMOS!’s packed cultural schedule of events, running into next year, includes a Day of the Dead celebration, exhibitions of world-famous Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera and the first UK exhibition of internationally renowned Mexican fashion designer Manuel Cuevas – whose clothes have dressed everyone from The Beatles to Dolly Parton.
With many more events to be announced in the coming weeks and/or months, including Liverpool/Mexico focused visual art and fashion commissions, Mexican craft activities and music will be brought to Liverpool which is host to the UK’s largest concentration of Latin American communities outside London.
Wahaca is opening in Liverpool this November, bringing award winning street food, burritos and cocktails to College Lane in Liverpool One.
Frida and Me will run until January 3rd, 2016. Details of the talks, visiting artists and workshops can be found on the iVAMOS! Festival website along with upcoming events at www.vamosfestival.com