Artists Series: Frida Kahlo

A gripping introduction to the dramatic life and work of feminist icon Frida Kahlo, whose revolutionary artworks born out of personal affliction reveal her intimate passions and unremitting determination as an artist, one with a legacy that has endured into the twenty-first century.

Frida Kahlo (1907–54) is widely recognised as one of the defining artists of the twentieth century. Her uncompromising vision, self-fashioning and fearless portrayal of the self have all established her as a beloved global icon. This Artists Series introduction opens an intimate window into Kahlo’s world, exploring how Mexican traditions, revolutionary ideals and animist cosmovisions shaped her life and work. It traces her journey from Coyoacán, through her travels to the United States and Paris, and back to an adventurous life in Mexico, filled with artistic exchanges, fiestas and corridos, but also chronic illness and suffering. Delving into the many layers of an artist who defied categorisation, this book looks at Kahlo’s constant reimagining of the self as a disabled, mestiza woman, and invites the reader to engage with her legacy in new ways.

Beatriz García-Velasco is Assistant Curator, International Art at Tate Modern. She has worked on a range of exhibitions, live performances, commissions and film programmes, and develops the Tate collection through the Latin American Acquisition Committee. Selected projects include the upcoming Frida Kahlo: The Making of An Icon exhibition, 2026; Mike Kelley: Ghost & Spirit, 2024-5; Capturing the Moment, 2023-4; and Cecilia Vicuña: Brain Forest Quipu Hyundai Commission, 2022-3. Through her involvement with Tate Film, Beatriz has also worked with pioneering living artists. She is editor and writer of publications including the Capturing the Moment exhibition book and the Preemptive Listening special issue of the Disclaimer journal.

paperback

Published by Tate Publishing