The Other Women
4 November 2005
Who says all the best Mexican events take place in London?
The University of Essex near Colchester is currently showing works by a number of Mexican women painters - some of whom were more famous than a certain Frida Kahlo in their day, says Elizabeth Mistry.
Frida Kahlo may be the name on everyone’s lips right now but she was just one of several women painters working in pre-war Mexico - and a new exhibition at the small-but-perfectly-formed Gallery at the University of Essex puts them firmly under the spotlight.
I had barely heard of Alice Rahon before I ventured out to the tiny, one room gallery space at Essex University last week.
Squashed between a bookshop and the arts centre (where the pre-colombian group Tunkul played an excellent lunchtime concert), I left utterly bowled over by the works on show.
Valerie Fraser and Dawn Ades, experts in 20th century Latin American art, have assembled a jewel of a show.
Among the works on display are Corazon Egoista, Olga Costa’s stark depiction of a heart-shaped nopal pierced by a dagger. Kahlo fans will note some similarities.
But without a doubt the highlight is Alice Rahon’s extraordinary The Ballard of Frida Kahlo, an ethereal fairground set against a backdrop of soft yet luminous blue and turquoise hues.
If I could choose one painting in the world at the moment it would be this - I haven’t been able to get it out of my head since seeing it; lastima that the colour reproduction in the helpful catalogue accompanying the show doesn’t do it justice.
Also on public display are works by Leonora Carrington, Lola Cueto, Maria Izquierdo and Rosa Rolanda…who was married to Miguel Covarrubias.
And to bring the muestra right up to date - the gallery commissioned a new work to complement the show.
Local artist Jane Frederick’s commanding Nicola - Red is an eyecatching portrait that draws the viewer in. The picture’s vast scope and details such as the material of the subject’s dress are such that it almost compels one to reach out and touch it.
EM
Frida’s Contemporaries is at the University of Essex gallery until November 5th. There are some interesting essays on the website.
Opening Times: Mon-Fri; 11-5 and Sat 1-4.30. Admission free.
Nearest stations Colchester (buses to the university take about 20 mins) or Wyvenhoe.
For more information call 01206 872074.
Filed in: Exhibitions in the UK
