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From 25 June 2026 to 3 January 2027, Tate Modern in London presents the major international exhibition Frida: The Making of an Icon, tracing the extraordinary journey of Frida Kahlo from a revolutionary Mexican artist to one of the most recognizable cultural icons of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The exhibition brings together more than 30 of Kahlo’s most celebrated paintings, revealing her many identities—as a devoted partner, intellectual, modern artist, and political activist. Alongside her paintings, visitors can explore an exceptional selection of clothing, jewellery, photographs, personal belongings, and archival materials that illuminate the carefully constructed visual identity through which Kahlo shaped her public image.

A significant section of the exhibition features more than 200 works by Kahlo’s contemporaries and artists from later generations, demonstrating her profound influence on contemporary art, feminist practice, and visual culture.

The exhibition contains material that some visitors may find distressing, including images of dead bodies and references to sexual violence and miscarriage. Its concluding section, “Fridamania,” examines Kahlo’s transformation into a global commercial icon. Through more than 200 commercial objects—ranging from fashion and design to souvenirs and popular culture—it explores how her image, style, and artistic legacy have become part of the global visual economy and have been continuously reinterpreted and appropriated by diverse communities.

Rather than serving solely as a retrospective of Kahlo’s artistic career, the exhibition offers a critical reflection on celebrity culture, fandom, and how different audiences continue to reinterpret and reclaim her legacy.

The exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in collaboration with Tate Modern.

Museum members and ticket holders can also access a smartphone audio guide, as well as a dedicated exhibition guide highlighting key artworks and central themes.

Until the end of August 2026, visitors can also reserve a special dining experience inspired by Mexican cuisine, created by Santiago Lastra, founder of London’s Michelin-starred restaurant KOL.

Lastra’s limited-edition menu explores Frida Kahlo’s world through colour, flavour, and storytelling. Each course reflects a different chapter of her life, inspired by themes of identity, home, love, tradition, and the celebration of life.

The menu is available at the Tate Modern Restaurant every day at lunchtime, as well as on Friday and Saturday evenings. Due to high demand, advance booking is recommended, and visitors purchasing exhibition tickets can choose a time slot that includes either lunch or dinner.