Frida Kahlo exhibition to open at Bendigo Art Gallery in 2025

The major exhibition will highlight the artist’s belongings and influence on modern art

Bendigo Art Gallery has announced the upcoming exhibition, “Frida Kahlo: In Her Own Image,” which will open in March 2025. This exclusive exhibition, brought directly from Mexico’s Museo Frida Kahlo, will showcase an intimate portrayal of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.

The exhibition will feature Kahlo’s personal belongings, fashion collection, makeup, accessories, and medical items, providing insight into the personal, political, philosophical, and artistic influences that shaped her revolutionary creative style and worldview.

The exhibition is part of Bendigo Art Gallery’s Bendigo International Collections series, which has previously explored the legacies of cultural icons such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly. Jessica Bridgfoot, Director of Bendigo Art Gallery, expressed the honour of collaborating with the Museo Frida Kahlo to present this unique collection. “This remarkable collection rarely travels outside Mexico and has never before been seen in Australia,” she noted.

The exhibition will highlight the intricate connections between Kahlo’s clothing, home, and groundbreaking artwork. Items on display include traditional Mexican garments, Revlon cosmetics, and medical corsets hand-painted by Kahlo following her spinal surgeries. The items were discovered in 2004 after being sealed for fifty years in Kahlo’s family home, Casa Azul, now the Museo Frida Kahlo.

Lauren Ellis, Curatorial Manager at Bendigo Art Gallery, emphasised the significance of these personal items in understanding Kahlo’s identity. “Combining traditional regional Mexican garments with eclectic modern elements, Kahlo constructed and performed her identity to embody her bold artistic vision and deeply held cultural and political beliefs,” Ellis explained. The exhibition will run from 15 March to 13 July 2025, and tickets will be available through the Bendigo Art Gallery website.

In addition to the exciting exhibition news, Bendigo has been recognised at the 2024 TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards. Bendigo was awarded gold in the Top Tourism Town category, acknowledging another successful year for the city’s tourism sector. The City of Greater Bendigo celebrated notable events such as the Bendigo Easter Festival’s Year of the Dragon and the Paris exhibition at Bendigo Art Gallery. 

Heathcote also received a bronze award in the Top Small Tourism Town category, praised for its stunning natural landscape and boutique wineries. Both awards highlight the region’s commitment to delivering high-quality experiences and customer service to visitors. Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf expressed her delight: “These awards are a testament to our passionate and hardworking tourism industry and City staff working to ensure the region always looks its best.”

bendigoartgallery.com.au