Artist Frida Kahlo is a goddess, one that continues to be revered in Mexico and the world over.
“In fact, she is the biggest export out of Mexico,” says Nicole Barosi, owner of the gallery that bears her name in Cathedral City.
Barosi is hosting a Frida Kahlo fiesta Nov. 17 to coincide with Cathedral City’s 35th Anniversary Art and Restaurant Week. Her event includes a Frida Kahlo themed art exhibit, music, and a taco truck.
About 25 artist have donated works of art that will be sold for $49 each with proceeds going to the charity, Animal Samaritans. Media include paintings, sculptures, mixed media, and works on fabric. Donating artists, however, have an opportunity to win at $200 first prize, which will be chosen by a panel of judges.
Barosi’s events are often tied to charities. In 2012, her Day of the Dead exhibit at her gallery in the Backstreet Art District benefited Find Food Bank.
Barosi chose Kahlo as her theme because she continues to fascinate years after her death and is a hero for many women. Kahlo’s paintings reflected her love of country, her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera and a lifetime of physical pain after a near fatal accident with a train car.
Surrealist Andre Breton once described Kahlo”s art as “a ribbon around a bomb.”
Kahlo is best known for her self portraits with flowers in her hair,wearing traditional Mexican attire and flanked by animals, including monkeys and parrots.
In turn, Barisi’s new series of jewelry and large wall hangings out of tin also reflect her love of animals, especially dogs.
Nicole Barosi stand by a mix of art that pays tribute to Frida Kahlo and her own hangings made out of tin.
Her large flat dog-shaped necklaces are designed to look like military dog tags. They are cut and shaped with standard tools.
“I like working with tin because it’s lightweight and pliable, almost like working with aluminum foil,” says Barosi.
Satisfied with the necklace results, Barosi took the images a step further to create 3 to 4-foot wall hangings that can be hung indoors or out. First, she creates a template that is sent to artisans in Mexico and enlarged. They add texture according to her directions and everything is sealed with resin. On the back, the image is reinforced with cross bars that will keep its shape.
So far, Barosi’s dog series includes afghans and boxers, but she plans to create a cat series next.
La Fiesta de Frida, Nicole Barosi Gallery, 68-703 Perez Road, #A-15, Cathedral City, 760-832-9285; https://www.facebook.com/NicoleBarosiGallery/?hc_location=ufi