A spectacular Frida Kahlo installation is coming to Carnaby Street this summer. ¡Frida Icónica! will be unveiled on 25th June, transforming the legendary London district into a vibrant canvas with a colourful and breathtaking display of public art. Inspired by Kahlo’s extraordinary vision and Mexican heritage, the installation is in collaboration with Tate Modern’s anticipated exhibition, Frida: The Making of an Icon.
Carnaby Street’s ¡Frida Icónica! will consist of an anamorphic mural and vibrant, traditional papel picado designed by artist Alejandra Ballesteros. The mural, measuring approximately 3.25m x 2.5m, is composed from four portraits by Frida and contemporary artists, which come together to form her iconic profile when viewed head-on. Surrounding this striking image, reems of Papel picado, or ‘pierced paper’, a staple of Mexican folk art, will cascade and flutter down Carnaby Street, highlighting motifs and themes central to Frida’s life and work.
Frida was a queer, disabled woman of colour who became one of the most influential artists of all time. Soho, with its heritage of culture, diversity and creativity, has always made a natural home for pioneers of the avant-garde. It is a poignant space for a tribute to a figure of such stature, especially at a time when London will be celebrating Pride.
The installation will kick-start a summer-long celebration of the legacy of Frida Kahlo across London. Soho and Carnaby Street will come alive with a programme of events and experiences, from special menus and offers celebrating the most vibrant Central and South American flavours across restaurants and bars.
Opening concurrently, Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern will bring together over 30 works by Kahlo, presented in dialogue with modern and contemporary artists from across the globe who have drawn influence from her aesthetic, identity and biography. Together they reveal how Kahlo’s remarkable story continues to be reimagined and reclaimed by new generations, celebrating her enduring and evolving impact and cementing her place as one of the most influential figures in the history of art.
Catherine Riccomini, Director of Marketing and Communications at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Bringing ¡Frida Icónica! to Carnaby Street is about creating a moment of joy and discovery – a shared cultural experience for London that makes Soho and Carnaby Street unlike anywhere else in London. We are proud to be working with Tate Modern, one of the UK’s most-loved cultural institutions to bring this extraordinary celebration of Frida Kahlo’s life, art and legacy to the city. ¡Frida Icónica! is a tribute to Frida Kahlo’s spirit and the richness of Mexican artistry and heritage, and we hope it inspires everyone who encounters it.”
Catherine Wood, Interim Director of Tate Modern, said: “Tate exists to champion artists, and we passionately believe that everyone should have the right to access art for free. We are thrilled to be collaborating with CarnabyStreet to help bring the remarkable work of Frida Kahlo into the creative heart of London, offering even more people the opportunity to discover her extraordinary journey from a little-known Mexican painter to a world wide cultural phenomenon.”
Tobias Ostrander, curator of Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern, said: “Frida Kahlo’s fearless celebration of identity and her unflinching portrayal of her personal struggles, speaks to so many different groups and generations. Bringing together key works from across her career alongside artists from around the globe, Tate Modern’s exhibition delves into these narratives to explore her undeniable impact on contemporary art today. It feels fitting that Carnaby Street – a space with an equally rich history of championing radical voices – will pay homage to Frida’s vibrant and enduring legacy.”
