Whatever your plans are for the summer vacation, be sure to visit the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shekou for the inaugural exhibition of Frida Kahlo's original works in China — a must-see event in Shenzhen this summer.
"Roots" by Frida Kahlo. File photos
More widely known simply as Frida, Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was a Mexican painter best known for her uncompromising and brilliantly colored self-portraits that deal with such themes as identity, the human body, and death. She is a legendary figure in the global art world and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Titled "Frida's Paradox," the exhibition features original oil paintings, watercolors, manuscripts, and personal items, with a total of 250 pieces making their debut in China.
Set to open this Saturday (July 12), the exhibition is jointly curated by Cristina Kahlo, a renowned photography curator and Frida's grand-niece, and Juan Rafael Coronel Rivera, a contemporary Mexican indigenous artist, prominent art historian, and grandson of Diego Rivera, Frida's husband.
As the first-ever exhibition of Frida's original works in China, the show offers a fresh perspective that reveals her true self — far more complex and profound than her iconic image suggests. Rather than focusing on the emotional self-portraits she created in her 20s and 30s, the exhibition delves into deeper, more intimate dimensions of her life, uncovering the strength behind this legendary female artist.
"My Grandparents, My Parents, and Me" by Frida Kahlo.
Under the theme of "Concealing and Revealing," the exhibition is arranged into six sections. It highlights Frida's childhood and formative years, showcases a collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts that deeply inspired her, and presents Mexican folk art that shaped her creative spirit. Visitors will also see the traditional native clothing and jewelry Frida actually wore, as well as her powerful late still-life paintings and manuscripts that embody her artistic mastery.
Frida's life itself was a canvas filled with contradictions and tensions. The exhibition invites visitors to discover a never-before-seen Frida, revealing layers of her identity beyond the familiar surface.
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays
Dates: July 12 to Sept. 15
Admission: 128 yuan per person; 208 yuan for two
Venue: Main Gallery, Level 1, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shekou, Nanshan District (蛇口文化艺术中心)
Metro: Line 2 or 12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A, then a 10-minute walk
