Much-Anticipated Frida Kahlo Exhibition Opens In Glen Ellyn
WDCB’s Gary Zidek visits College of DuPage’s Cleve Carney Museum of Art to preview FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS.
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“We got to the point where (we said) we’re going to make it work, no matter what comes our way, we’re going to find a way to deliver the exhibition.” - McAninch Art Center Director and FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS executive director Diana Martinez talking about the determination to make this Frida Kahlo exhibit a reality after years of planning.
(left) Cleve Carney Museum of Art curator Justin Witte and McAninch Arts Center director Diana Martinez
A years-long effort to open a world class art exhibition in west suburban Glen Ellyn will come to fruition Saturday June 5 when College of DuPage’s Cleve Carney Museum of Art opens FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS to the public for the first time.
Discussions of a potential Kahlo exhibit began over four years ago with McAninch Arts Center director Diana Martinez spearheading the project. After years of planning, which included borrowing 26 pieces of original Kahlo works from the Museo Dolores Olmedo in Mexico City, the exhibition was set to open in the summer of 2020. Of course, as we all know now, those plans had to be altered when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. Fortunately, Martinez and her team were able to pivot and reschedule the exhibition for this summer.
A look at some of the recreated Frida Kahlo fashions on display in FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS
FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS features pieces created throughout the artist’s life, including 19 oil paintings. In addition to presenting 26 original Kahlo works, there’s also a comprehensive biographic component of the exhibition with replicas of notable objects from Kahlo’s life including her childhood bed and orthotic braces, more than 100 photographic images from the artist’s life, a Frida Kahlo-inspired garden designed by Ball Horticultural Company, and a family-friendly kid’s area.
A look at some of what visitors will see inside FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS.
Some early Frida Kahlo sketches on display in FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS
Frida Kahlo, THE BROKEN COLUMN, 1944. Collection Museo Dolores Olmedo. Image courtesy of the Cleve Carney Museum of Art.
Gallery shot of FRIDA KAHLO: TIMELESS at Cleve Carney Museum of Art. Photo credit: Clare Britt.
“There is so much Frida-mania out there, we see her image on everything. I think over time, like with any thing, that kind of flattens the person, there’s a flattening of who Frida has become in popular culture, she’s the eyebrow, she’s the flowers in the hair, she’s the Frida we see in the beautiful Nickolas Muray color photographs from the middle of 20th century. But her life touches on so many key aspects of the history of Mexico City.” - Cleve Carney Museum of Art curator Justin Witte talking about his efforts to provide more context for Frida Kahlo the artist.
Cleve Carney Museum of Art curator Justin Witte
Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Small Monkey, 1945. Collection Museo Dolores Olmedo. On display at Cleve Carney Museum of Art.
