Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico
15 Oct 2022 - 22 Jan 2023
Curated by Julia Waite
Adults $24.50, Concessions $19.50, Members and children 12 & under FREE
Exhibition detail
Come face to face with one of the twentieth century’s most recognisable cultural icons in an international exhibition touring to Tāmaki Makaurau this spring. Through Frida Kahlo’s paintings and drawings, the work of her husband, Diego Rivera, and leading artists in their circle, discover an extraordinary story of art, love and life.
From Frida’s inward exploration of personal identity to Diego’s outward interest in national character, learn why – despite very different artistic styles – the pair became two of Mexico’s most celebrated and inspiring personalities. Through more than 150 artworks, including Frida’s self-portraits and Diego’s paintings of Mexican life, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera reveals how the artists played a crucial role in defining a new art following the Mexican Revolution.
Taking in Frida and Diego’s wider social and artistic circles, the exhibition includes the work of muralists David Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo and María Izquierdo, whose star rivalled Frida’s own during their lifetimes. A large collection of photography on display reveals mid-century Mexican life through the lenses of Lola Álvarez Bravo, Manuel Álvarez Bravo and Nickolas Muray.
Visit Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico for a new look at one of art’s most renowned, tempestuous and passionate relationships in this New Zealand-exclusive show.
About the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico presents artworks from the collection of film producer Jacques Gelman and his wife, Natasha, a model for both Frida and Diego. Arriving in Mexico in the 1940s, the Gelmans began collecting and commissioning work by the country’s leading painters, establishing friendships with the artists, commissioning portraits for the walls of their home and building one of the finest private collections of Mexican modernism today.
About our partners
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico is organised by the Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura. The exhibition is proudly supported by Craigs, AUT and Viva, as well as Omnigraphics, with special thanks to the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation.
Image credit: Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait with Monkeys 1943. The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). Photo by Gerardo Suter
About
Come face to face with one of the twentieth century’s most recognisable cultural icons in an international exhibition touring to Tāmaki Makaurau this spring. Through Frida Kahlo’s paintings and drawings, the work of her husband, Diego Rivera, and leading artists in their circle, discover an extraordinary story of art, love and life.
From Frida’s inward exploration of personal identity to Diego’s outward interest in national character, learn why – despite very different artistic styles – the pair became two of Mexico’s most celebrated and inspiring personalities. Through more than 150 artworks, including Frida’s self-portraits and Diego’s paintings of Mexican life, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera reveals how the artists played a crucial role in defining a new art following the Mexican Revolution.
Taking in Frida and Diego’s wider social and artistic circles, the exhibition includes the work of muralists David Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo and María Izquierdo, whose star rivalled Frida’s own during their lifetimes. A large collection of photography on display reveals mid-century Mexican life through the lenses of Lola Álvarez Bravo, Manuel Álvarez Bravo and Nickolas Muray.
Visit Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico for a new look at one of art’s most renowned, tempestuous and passionate relationships in this New Zealand-exclusive show.
About the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico presents artworks from the collection of film producer Jacques Gelman and his wife, Natasha, a model for both Frida and Diego. Arriving in Mexico in the 1940s, the Gelmans began collecting and commissioning work by the country’s leading painters, establishing friendships with the artists, commissioning portraits for the walls of their home and building one of the finest private collections of Mexican modernism today.
About our partners
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico is organised by the Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura. The exhibition is proudly supported by Craigs, AUT and Viva, as well as Omnigraphics, with special thanks to the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation.
Image credit: Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait with Monkeys 1943. The Vergel Foundation and MondoMostre in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL). Photo by Gerardo Suter
Tickets
Members FREE – Become a Member
Adults $24.50
Seniors and Community Card holders $19.50
Students [with Student ID] $19.50
Children 12 and under FREE
(All children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
How to book
In advance – Advance ticket sales via Eventfinda offer you priority exhibition entry.
On the day – You can buy tickets on any day of the exhibition (Sat 15 Oct 2022 – Sun 22 Jan 2023, except Christmas Day) from the Gallery's information desk on our Ground level. Please note, we’re operating a timed-entry system offering exhibition entry between 10am–12pm,12–2pm or 2–5pm each day. You can enter at any time within each timed-entry period and there is no limit to the length of time you spend in the exhibition. The Gallery closes at 5pm daily.
For updates on on-the-day ticket availability, please call +64 9 307 7700.
More information
Prices include GST. Booking and delivery fees, where charged, are additional to the admission price.
There is no entry charge for children aged 12 or under, however you will need to select a FREE child ticket type when booking in advance via Eventfinda. Please note all children aged 14 or under must be accompanied by an adult.
Auckland Art Gallery Members go FREE. Members with a guest pass may also bring their guests for FREE. To secure priority exhibition entry, please choose the FREE Member ticket type when booking in advance via Eventfinda. Alternatively, present your membership card at our information desk on the day of your visit and you will be issued with a ticket to the exhibition.
Join us as a Member on the same day as your visit to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico and we’ll refund the price of your exhibition ticket. Members receive a range of benefits, including free unlimited entry to paid exhibitions, invitations to Members-only events, access to the Members lounge, and discounts in our shop and café. Ask us for more information while on your visit to the exhibition.
Visiting
Groups
Please book at least two weeks in advance of your visit to secure entry to this exhibition. Advance booking is essential to guarantee entry. To make a group booking, please email gallerytours@aucklandartgallery.com.
Discounted entry is only available for groups who book in advance:
Adults: $22
Seniors and Community Services Card Holders: $18
Unbooked groups are charged standard admission prices.
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary group bookings
Please book at least two weeks in advance of your visit to secure entry to this exhibition. Advance booking is essential to guarantee entry and very large groups may need to be admitted into the exhibition in smaller groups. We reserve the right to add extra staff to supervise large groups. To make a group booking, please email education@aucklandartgallery.com.
Discounted entry is only available for groups who book in advance:
Primary school group students: No charge
Secondary school group students: $10
Tertiary group students: $10
Separate charges may apply for accompanying teachers and adults.
Teacher/adult-to-student ratios apply:
Years 1-4 / Ages 5-9 – 1:6
Years 5-7 / Ages 10-11 – 1:7
Years 7-10 / Ages 12-15 – 1:10
Years 11-13 / Ages 16-18 – 1:30
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico is on show at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki from Saturday 15 October 2022 – Sunday 22 January 2023. The exhibition is open during normal Gallery hours, 10am–5pm daily.
Art and Life in Modern Mexico is located on Level 1.
In advance:
We're partnering with Eventfinda to offer advance ticket sales for Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico. Priority exhibition entry will be given to those with advance tickets.
Please note, we’re operating a timed-entry system offering exhibition entry between 10am–12pm,12–2pm or 2–5pm each day. You can enter at any time within each timed-entry period and there is no limit to the length of time you spend in the exhibition.
On the day:
You can also buy tickets on the day of your visit from the Gallery's information desk on Ground level. These tickets are available until exhibition capacities are reached. Please note, we’re operating a timed-entry system offering exhibition entry between 10am–12pm,12–2pm or 2–5pm each day. You can enter at any time within each timed-entry period and there is no limit to the length of time you spend in the exhibition. The Gallery closes at 5pm daily.
For priority exhibition entry, please buy your ticket in advance via Eventfinda.
Yes. Children aged 12 and under are FREE. Please note that children aged under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets allow single entry to the exhibition. However, you are welcome to spend as long in the exhibition as you need. The Gallery closes at 5pm daily.
Yes, if you are a Gallery Member, entry to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Art and Life in Modern Mexico is FREE. Entry is also FREE to any guests you bring with you using your Members Guest pass.
For priority exhibition entry, please secure your FREE Member / Member Guest tickets in advance via Eventfinda. You may also secure your FREE ticket from our information desk on the Ground level or at the exhibition entry on Level 1 on the day of your visit, exhibition capacity allowing.




