London is taking on the colors, the power, and the imagery of one of the most beloved artists of all time. Tate Modern is hosting one of the year's most anticipated exhibitions: "Frida: The Making of an Icon", an extraordinary journey into the heart of Frida Kahlo’s work and legend, exploring how Frida Kahlo became one of the most influential artists of all time, a cultural phenomenon, and an internationally recognised commercial icon.

The works on display at Tate Modern and Frida's pop legacy

The heart of "Frida: The Making of an Icon" revolves around more than 30 of Kahlo’s most celebrated masterpieces. This selection highlights her multifaceted and complex identities, ranging from political activist and intellectual to modern artist and devoted wife. The paintings engage in a dialogue with her most intimate personal life through the display of photographs, jewelry, memorabilia, and authentic traditional garments.

Frida’s impact on subsequent generations comes to life through a juxtaposition with over 200 works by past and contemporary artists, all united by the common thread of Kahlo-inspired creativity. The journey concludes with a section entirely dedicated to "Fridamania". Here, more than 200 commercial items bear witness to the artist's transformation into a genuine global brand, one capable of imprinting her unique style and personality upon the modern pop-culture landscape.

Frida: The Making of an Icon, an intimate portrait of the artist

The exhibition is an unprecedented journey into the world of a bold, revolutionary artist. It offers a fascinating insight into the transformative power of Frida Kahlo’s life and work, closely examining both the complex phenomenon of her global following and the profound bond she shares with the diverse communities that view her today as a touchstone and a symbol of identity.

From celebrated masterpieces to archival documents, photographs, and personal mementos, the exhibition "Frida: The Making of an Icon" presents an intimate and powerful portrait of a true art pioneer. Developed in collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the exhibition reveals the complexities of a woman who was simultaneously an activist, an intellectual, a wife, and an avant-garde figure. The result is a profound narrative about the value of freedom and the revolutionary impact of women on 20th-century art, one that unites and moves audiences across borders.

Frida: The Making of an Icon
Until January 3, 2027
Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG