The World of Frida

June 18 – September 25, 2022

One of the most well-known female painters in the history of art is the fiercely brave and passionate Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954), who is, today, a shining example of empowerment, beauty and determination. Her name alone conjures her self-image in our minds, as her numerous self portraits in which her unibrow is her most discerning feature are considered iconic examples of her work. As with many artists that have come before and after Frida, her work did not receive critical acclaim until a couple of decades after her death. It was in the late 1970s that art historians and political activists began to rediscover and examine her work, which eventually led to Frida becoming a champion for the Chicana, feminist and LGBQT activist movements. It is Frida’s fearless expression of honest individuality and the human condition that has inspired the 114 works of art in a variety of media by 94 artists from around the world in the Art Museum’s exciting summer exhibition The World of Frida, which was organized by The Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA, and has been traveling the country since 2018. The Art Museum is proud to be one of the last venues to host the traveling exhibition, particularly during this very special year, 2022 – the Art Museum’s 25th anniversary. The World of Frida is very much a celebration of life – in all its triumphs and struggles – love and the pursuit of staying true to oneself.

Check out our exciting Frida summer programs!

installation photos:

participating artists:

The World of Frida was organized by The Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA.

Exhibition + programming generously sponsored by