“Botanical Fridas” is a series of beautifully rendered sculptures, each of which represents a different point of view of one of the most recognized female artists, Frida Kahlo. And, like Frida Kahlo, each sculpture is accompanied by a mascot – a monkey, a xoloitzcuintle, and a deer. This exhibition debuted at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and toured internationally, including at McAllen Public Library in 2022. And for a limited time, "Botanical Fridas" will be on display during MXLAN 2023!

The Botanical Fridas project was born in Mexico from the concept of creating a cultural, aesthetic, and multinational proposal that serves as a turning point in public art installations in the world. Starting from the idea that the plastic artist uses a contemporary sculpture with the stylized figure of one of the most recognized female painters of the 20th century, Frida Kahlo, as an exceptional canvas. The intervention of these works of art gives artists the absolute freedom to reveal their creative process and project their talents to the crowds who admire them in urban settings. Creativity and ingenuity are like a bird, capable of flying as high as allowed.

El proyecto Botanical Fridas nace en México del concepto de crear una propuesta cultural, estética y multinacional que sirva como punto de inflexión en las instalaciones de arte público en el mundo. Partiendo de la idea de que el artista plástico utiliza como lienzo excepcional una escultura contemporánea, con la figura estilizada de una de las pintoras femeninas más reconocidas del siglo XX, Frida Kahlo.  La intervención de estas obras de arte da a los artistas la libertad absoluta para mostrar su proceso creativo y proyectar sus talentos a las multitudes que los admiran en entornos urbanos. La creatividad y el ingenio son como un ave, capaces de volar tan alto como se les permita.


Meet the Artists
(Click on artist names for details) 

Adriana Gámez │ Frida Alebrije
Domingo Reyes │ Frida Amarillo y Mar & Frida Mariposa
Francisco Girón │ Frida Florida
Gio Di Zurita │ Frida Altar Interno
Jesús Rentería Franco │ Frida Serpentina
José Esteban Martínez │ Frida Fresnillo
Lydia Lavin │ Frida Esencia Textil
Paul Zarkin │ Frida Como Cereza
Renée Latapi │ Frida Alebrije
Robert Garza │ Frida Volviendo a la vida
Vicente Vértiz Pani │ Frida Urbana

During MXLAN, thousands will join MPL by writing on a ribbon of gratitude and tying it to an illuminated tunnel to create a community art project.

MPL will be at MXLAN to help children create colorful alebrije masks or an Aztec-inspired headdress to wear during the Calenda Parade! The Calenda-style street parade will happen each evening at 7:30PM with giant dancing dolls, live music, and more. Visitors are encouraged to dress and join this amazing parade experience.

Author David Bowles helped MPL staff by translating (from Nahua into English) symbols that will be used in the headdress crafts we'll be creating for the Calenda parade! Visit his website at https://davidbowles.us/books/ to purchase a copy of his latest book!

Download a PDF with the translations by author David Bowles:  Description of Nahua (Aztec) Symbols