An exhibit focusing on renowned 20th century Mexican artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is coming to the Art Gallery of Ontario this fall.

The ‘Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics and Painting’ exhibition will consist of 75 paintings from the artistically acclaimed Mexican power-couple. Their works will be drawn from the collection of Mexico’s Museo Dolores Olmedo and depict the couple’s affinity to the communist movement and fixation with their Mexican roots.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera have remained prevalent in contemporary art as their works are strenuously debated for the political controversy they continue to arouse. Frida Kahlo’s works are noted for their surrealist approach even though she claimed her works were influenced by her passionate views of reality. Kahlo painted many things in her life but her expressionless self-portraits are what continue to define her.

Despite Kahlo’s post-mortem popularity, many experts claim Diego Rivera to be the better painter especially with his work in the 20th century avant-garde movement, Cubism. Rivera’s mural works helped usher in the Mexican Mural Movement in Mexican art from which he is considered an influential pioneer.

Kahlo and Riveras’ works are notorious for their passion and politics and commencing on October 20 2012, the Toronto public will be fortunate enough to experience them in person at the Art Gallery of Ontario, in collaboration with the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Author: Christopher Alvarado