Learning more about the incredible artist, Frida Kahlo at the Royal Lazienki Museum in central Warsaw
This immersive ‘Colour of Life’ exhibition at the Royal Łazienki Museum in central Warsaw, offered an intimate glimpse into the life and art of one of the 20th century’s most iconic artists, Frida Kahlo. Through her vibrant works, archival photographs, and a recreation of her legendary Blue House, the exhibition celebrated her enduring legacy and unique perspective.
© Images by Hiatus.Design
The exhibition featured three of Kahlo’s paintings: My Dress Hangs There (1933 - pictured above), Coconuts (1951 - below), and Still Life with Watermelons (1953). Each piece exemplifies her unmistakable style, characterised by bold colours, symbolic imagery, and deeply personal themes. These works reflected her resilience and creativity, despite a life marked by immense physical and emotional challenges.
If you’ve not heard of her, Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was a Mexican painter renowned for her deeply personal and emotive works, which often explored themes of identity, pain, and the female experience.
Born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón in Coyoacán, Mexico City, she grew up during a time of political and social upheaval in Mexico, which influenced much of her art. Kahlo's life was marked by physical suffering, starting with polio at age six, which left her with a limp, and a devastating bus accident at 18 that caused lifelong health problems and led to numerous surgeries and chronic pain. These experiences deeply influenced her work, as she often depicted her own suffering and resilience.
Kahlo's art is characterised by its vibrant colours, surrealist elements, and symbolic imagery. Though often associated with surrealism, she famously rejected the label, stating that she didn't paint dreams, but her own reality.
Her self-portraits are among her most famous works, in which she unflinchingly portrayed her physical and emotional pain, often incorporating symbolic references to her Mexican heritage, such as indigenous motifs, flora, and fauna. Paintings like "The Two Fridas", "Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird", and "The Broken Column" reflect her intense inner world and her struggle with identity and disability.
Kahlo's art was not widely recognised internationally during her lifetime, but her reputation grew significantly after her death, particularly during the feminist movement of the 1970s, which celebrated her as an icon of female creativity and empowerment.
A standout feature of the exhibition was the outdoor installation recreating parts of Kahlo’s Blue House.
Known as La Casa Azul, this space in Mexico’s Coyoacán district was central to her life and work. The installation, with its cobalt-blue walls and greenery, allowed visitors to step into Kahlo’s creative sanctuary. A replica of a Mexican deity statue, crafted by Polish sculptor Michał Selerowski, added authenticity, evoking the indigenous influences that were integral to Kahlo’s art.
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