Taking a peak into a countries art has always been, and probably always will be, the greatest window into the soul of a nation and its people. And with Mexican art’s vibrant colours, macabre symbolism and strong political and social messages effortlessly intertwined with everyday life it’s the perfect way to get under the skin of this amazing country.
Mexico is stacked to the rafters with stunning art but here are a couple of our favourites. The must-do’s if you like…
the blue house
the blue house
Now a museum dedicated to the life and work of the legendary Frida Kahlo the Casa Azul, or ‘Blue House’ as it’s more commonly known was the house where Frida grew up, and place she later returned to in the final years of her life.
Converted just four years after her death in 1958 and located in the Colonia Del Carmen Coyoacan area of Mexico City, the museum is a wash of amazing colours, intriguing Mexican folk art and personal belongings from the time she and her husband, Diego Riviera, lived there.
Though you won’t find a huge numbers of her works in the house (head to the Modern Art Museum in Chapultepec Park or the Dolores Olmedo Patiño Museum in Xochimilco to see her works in full) it’s an amazingly beautiful insight into one of the countries most gifted artists. If you’ve ever seen the film ‘Frida’ then this should definitely be top of your list.
palacio nacional
Sitting on the East side of the Zocalo, the Palacio Nacional is one of Mexico City’s most stunning colonial buildings.
diego rivera mural
Thought to have been built on the site of the ancient Moctezuma’s palace, it houses presidential affairs and the federal treasury, but more importantly (in our eyes anyway) its home to the grand art works by Mexico’s most famous and celebrated muralist, Diego Rivera.
Make your way up the main staircase and onto the second floor and you’ll be graced with the huge, colourful and stunningly detailed murals.
Covering his work from 1929 to 1935 Diego Rivera’s art will take you on a mini history of Mexican indigenous life before the conquest and up to the post-revolutionary period and workers movement in the 1930’s. An absolute must on the Mexico City check list.
omr
It’s not all about looking into the past to make the most of Mexican art. Mexico City has a thriving and uber creative modern scene to rival any other city across the globe. Even the main man of modern art himself, Damian Hurst, spends much of his time out there.
For a glimpse into the city’s latest movers and shakers head over to OMR in the heart of the Roma district where this early twentieth century home houses and promotes the best in Mexican contemporary art from the last 25 years. Backing emerging painters, sculptors, photographers and talented young creators is at the heart of what OMR does and the perfect place to get to grips with contemporary art culture in Mexico City.
Interested in a unique Mexican experience? Fill in the form to speak to one of our Mexico experts or give us a call on 020 7426 9888.
frida kahlo
