Exploring Frida Kahlo at the V&A Exhibition in London

As part of Ellesmere College's cross-curricular opportunities, Sixth Form students of Art and Spanish spent a day in London recently to visit the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

After a nourishing lunch of Spanish tapas, which involved students practicing their Spanish skills to select and order the food, it was time to explore the Victoria & Albert Museum. The exhibition, entitled 'Inside the Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up', consisted of more than 200 artefacts discovered in 2004 in the Casa Azul (Blue House), the artist's lifelong home. These artefacts have been left undisturbed for the past 50 years since Kahlo's death in 1954, and it's the first time this collection has gone on show outside Mexico.

During a dedicated tour of the galleries, students were able to see how real life can influence art and how treasured possessions shape artistic concepts. Students also increased their awareness of Mexican culture.

Melody Reynolds, Teacher of Spanish and French at Ellesmere College who organised this hugely popular trip, said: 'Frida Kahlo was an astounding and unique artist whose many portraits and self-portraits were often inspired by Mexican folklore and landscapes. In her work, Kahlo explored themes that remain relevant today, such as identity, gender, class, and multiculturalism. Visiting this exhibition sparked much lively debate among our students and the unique, deeply personal artefacts on show will no doubt influence future artwork produced here at College."

For more information on our Modern Foreign Languages programme please visit: MFL at Ellesmere

For more information on the V&A Exhibition visit: 'Inside Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up'

Students on the steps of the V&A Museum in London

Students enjoying Tapas before their visit to the V&A Museum

5th October 2018  Back to News