This event, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, was cancelled earlier today. The announcement was made via email.
Frida Kahlo is known for her colorful and imaginative paintings. Her work has been celebrated in Mexico as national tradition, and around the world as a cultural icon. Kahlo said that she “paints her own reality”.
The Utah Arts of Mexico in collaboration with the Mexican Consul has agreed to let Salt Lake Community College’s Arts and Cultural Events host a temporary art gallery in the new Media Center at South City Campus.
“The beauty of Frida is that she sends in the creation of her art very strong messages politically, socially, from a feminist perspective, from a very emotional perspective, and from a woman in love,” says Mequette Sorensen, a committee member for the event. “Why her art can speak to so many people is because everyone at one time or another had been on that path and felt that vulnerability and that desire to overcome.”
Kahlo’s 32 most notable works are digitized and printed on 5’ x 3’ sheets of metal and will be on display from Feb. 13 to March 19 during daily campus hours.
The featured paintings range from more popular works such as “Las Dos Fridas” to some of her earlier fruit focused paintings.
“Even for that person that has never seen her, she can speak to you about challenges and obstacles,” says Sorensen. “Frida dared to paint her pain, and we all can identify with pain. I believe that people will walk away saying, she overcame, she experienced just like me.”
In addition to the artwork, there will be written interpretations by art historians from Mexico of what the art symbolizes for those who may not be familiar with Kahlo.
“I see Kahlo with my own lenses,” says Sorensen. “Often times, people want to know, what does that symbolize?”
Come celebrate the colorful Kahlo at the opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The reception includes authentic Mexican food including empanadas, galletas and limeade as well as live music from local Spanish guitarist, Gabino Flores.
Students, faculty, and the general public are welcome at the event and the exhibit. Exhibit-goers can look to gain artistic perspective and cultural knowledge about diversity.
“For an individual that may not even know Frida, be prepared that it’s raw. She’s open, she’s honest, and she often times is shouting her feelings,” says Sorensen.
