An exhibit coming up at the San Antonio Botanical Garden will celebrate the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo with a fascinating rendition of her eclectic blue home, Casa Azul and a beautiful sanctuary of animal and plant life that influenced her artworks. Frida Kahlo Oasis, curated by the San Antonio Botanical Garden will make its debut on 8 May and run till 2 November.
The aim of this immersive experience is to showcase Kahlo’s deep connection with Mexican native vegetation as well as with the house where she lived with her husband and fellow artist, Diego Rivera. Nestled under a canopy of giant oak trees, the exhibit will occupy a sumptuous space of 2100 square feet. Brimming with bright colors, it will have on display a variety of tropical foliage and desert vegetation including plants like the bougainvillea, agave and marigolds.Kahlo had a very simple explanation for why she chose to feature flowers as beautiful as the marigold and bougainvillea in her paintings. She said, “I paint flowers so they will not die.”
ABOUT FRIDA KAHLO
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. At the age of two, polio left Kahlo disabled but by no means did it crush her spirit. She took up painting at 18 as she recuperated after a bus crash that nearly proved fatal and years later came to be recognized as a prolific artist of her times.
Her artworks are known for their exploration of magic realism through a vivid use of color, while her surrealism is imprinted on paintings that journey through the theme of death. Nearly one third of Kahlo’s works are self-portraits, characterized by her distinctive unibrow, her hair done up with flowers and her small but visible mustache. During her lifetime, Kahlo was actively involved in politics too and in 1948, joined the Mexican Communist Party.
Today, she continues to be remembered not just as an artist but as an activist for the way in which she claimed her identity and refused to let her illness stand in her way. The exhibit at the botanical gardens highlights the legacy she left behind. Visitors can in fact glimpse into little nuggets of Kahlo’s life through the objects displayed in this living museum. Her desk and easel, her frog-themed fountain, the pyramid that displayed Rivera’s pre-Colombian artifact collection are all going to be recreated in the themed exhibit.
If that’s not enough, six monumental animals – a monkey, dog, deer, butterfly, parrot and hummingbird – that call to mind the creatures often found in her lush gardens will also be spotted here. This enchanting artistic experience has on offer several programs inspired by Mexican culture as well, like family events, specially curated tours, art history lectures, cocktail workshops and so much more.
COVID-19 MEASURES
The San Antonio Botanical Garden is adhering to COVID-19 safety measures by practicing social distancing and encouraging visitors to mask up. The gardens are also encouraging guests to book their tickets in advance to minimize physical contact with other patrons. Members are encouraged to visit during the Member Walking Hour.
TIMINGS
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Member Walking Hour: Monday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
TICKET PRICES
Adults: $15
Children (3-13): $12
If you are interested in coupons to the San Antonio Botanical Garden, check out this page regularly to see the latest deals.
For more details about the San Antonio Botanical Garden including tips for enjoying your time there, click on the image below.
For additional attractions in the San Antonio area check out the Go San Antonio Explorer Pass that allows you to see 3, 4 or 5 top attractions while saving up to 52%!
