We love that London never does things in halves!  Coinciding with the public opening of Frida: The Making of an Icon at Tate Modern (see our review HERE) ¡Frida Icónica! has taken over Carnaby Street, transforming the cultural hub into a vivid celebration of one of the art world’s most enduring and iconic figures.

This spectacular installation has turned the heart of Soho into a vibrant canvas with a colourful display of public art inspired by Kahlo’s extraordinary vision. Garlands of traditional papel picado – the intricate Mexican art of decorative paper cutting – designed by artist Alejandra Ballesteros, cascade down Carnaby Street, featuring motifs and scenes inspired by Kahlo’s life and work. At its heart, an anamorphic mural composed from four portraits by Kahlo and contemporary artists reveal the artist’s recognisable profile when viewed head-on. The installation transforms when lit up from day to night, bringing Kahlo’s extraordinary world of colour, queer identity and Mexican heritage to this legendary district renowned for the very radical creativity and self-expression that the artist represents.

¡Frida Icónica! extends this celebration of Kahlo’s life and work out of the gallery and onto the streets of London, remaining in place until 31 August. On the other side of the river in Bankside, meanwhile, six large-scale public murals have been created by emerging artists aged under 25, in response to Kahlo’s extraordinary legacy. From a monumental floor-based intervention to paintings spanning the area’s iconic railway arches, they mark the second iteration of Beyond Boundaries – a collaboration between Better Bankside and Tate Collective, Tate’s scheme for 16-25-year-olds worldwide, with support from Oxford Properties, aimed at connecting passers-by with creativity, community and the world around them. Due to remain in place for several years, each mural explores different facets of Kahlo’s identity, including her feminism, Mexican heritage, queerness and experience of disability, carrying her fearless spirit forward through the voices and perspectives of a new generation.