Frida: The Making of an Icon Exhibition Tour at Tate Modern
Description
Frida: The Making of an Icon will showcase over 30 of Kahlo’s most iconic works that introduce her ‘many selves’ – the dedicated wife, the intellectual, the modern artist, and the political activist. Alongside treasured garments, jewellery, photographs and memorabilia, there are over 200 works by her contemporaries and the artists she inspired from later generations, celebrating her lasting impact on those who continue to reimagine and reclaim her remarkable story. The show will culminate by exploring ‘Fridamania’. Kahlo’s transformation into a global brand will feature more than 200 commercial objects that encompass her art, image, style and persona. Encounter a journey entirely unique to this fearless, revolutionary artist, one that offers a fascinating insight into the transformative power of Frida’s life and work, the intriguing notion of fandom and the diversity of communities who claim her as their own. The tour group is no more than 15 people.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Join this one hour tour with a Tate Expert Guide to explore the work and influence of Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon. Discover the extraordinary story of how Frida Kahlo became one of the most influential artists of all time, a cultural phenomenon, and an internationally recognised commercial icon. Price includes admission to the exhibition and the one hour tour. The tour group is no more than 15 people. The tour is suitable for ages 7+. Image Credit: Frida: The Making of an Icon Exhibition, Tate Modern 25 June 2026 – 3 January 2027 Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907–1954), Untitled [Self-portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird], 1940. Oil on canvas mounted to board. Nickolas Muray Collection of Mexican Art, 66.6. Harry Ransom Center.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(18)
Awful - only a few actual painting by the artist, and only one that is recognisable. Mostly just photos of people copying her look and poses. I spent about 30mins trying to see the odd exhibit behind hundreds of other people.
It’s impossible to see frida’s artwork in the UK usually so it was really good to see some of her work at the Tate modern. However, there wasn’t a great deal of her own artwork and a lot of other artists’ work or their impressions of her work. Whilst I’m still really glad I went it could have been better and the centrally displayed items, like her jewellery, could’ve been shown better.
Visited to see Frida Khalo exhibition. As a fan of her art and only seen it in books and films, was hoping to see her paintings. Was sadly disappointed. A very few of her art work was over taken by everybody else's art on a Frida! So dissatisfied with the very little Frida paintings - and she has hundreds - but not in this exhibition! Not sure why the curator thought when putting together a Frida exhibition, we would not want to see Frida's amazing art and lots of unknowns art ! Very, very disappointed. We were inundated with fake Fridas and the shop is full of fridamania! Such a shame to think we were going to see the fabulous art of Frida Kahol - instead others and a very few Frida pieces.
The website showed the exhibition was on so we went and stood in a very short line to purchase tickets. When we finally got to the counter after 40 minutes we were told tickets were sold out for that exhibition but if we purchased a Tate Modern annual membership which is 5 times the ticket price we could go in. When we said no, we will come back tomorrow we were told that the exhibition was sold out for the entire week and the only way we could see the exhibition is if we bought an annual membership. There were no signs saying sold out, there was no one telling people waiting in line that it was sold out, there was no mention on website being sold out, staff deliberately made people line up to get a hard sell of an annual membership. Staff service is zero, slow and pushy and would not recommend the TATE Modern in London to anyone.
We had hoped that going to this exhibition on a weekday morning would mean avoiding large crowds. We went into the exhibition at 11:00 (Tate Modern opens at 10:00), but the first few rooms were already full of people, making it difficult to see the art works or read the captions. We came out of the exhibition about 50 minutes later, and noticed the long queue of people waiting to go in. I just hope they managed to see something. As for the exhibition itself, the information on the Tate website does state that many of the art works on display are by her contemporaries and other artists she inspired. The commercial objects inspired by Frida Kahlo were interesting to see (they could be seen because that particular room was not crowded with people). Luckily we have Tate membership, so will make another attempt to see this exhibition. If Tate required members to book a free timed ticket, perhaps the number of people in their exhibitions would be better controlled.
Poor experience - booked with Tate website which did not really explain that about a third of the work was of Frida - 2/3 were work from artists associated or influenced by her. Felt a bit duped really. Also 3 out of 5 lifts were working, making for a long wait, saw people with mobility issues struggling up and down a packed staircase. Wonder what Frida would have made of it? Would not recommend.
Ive been a fan of Frida for many years but the latest exhibition at Tate Modern is a huge disappointment, it does not tell her story plus so little of her work on show! Just a collection, in my opinion, of poor art work from others with a ‘thread’ of connection to her ! I went to the exhibition held at the V&A years ago which was so much better, and respectful to the great artist she was , she put her life on canvas - her story being as fascinating as it was sad! As for the merchandise don’t take me there!!!!
I have seen Frida Kahlo's paintings in a few galleries, but there weren't many of them anywhere. I have also visited the beautiful house at La Casa Lazul in Coyoacan, Mexico City, so I was happy to go to the gallery this year when I was in London to see her work. I didn't expect to see everything she ever created, as others who were disappointed with the exhibition have said. I really liked it. But I agree that the works of other Frida imitators in the gallery are unnecessary, they add no additional value, rather they confuse the visitor.
It was eye opening and inspiring. I learnt so much more about Friday Khalo. My sister and I loved it
I just went today with a friend being a fan of her work. We sadly have not checked the reviews. It was overpriced, as what you get is only a few of her paintings (and out for the most important ones only ONE) and some poor interpretations of her work. Also, despite booking for a particular time its still overcrowded. Its very poor.
