Frida exhibition visitors break six-figure barrier

THE recently closed Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery has been confirmed as an unqualified success with the announcement that it attracted 105,135 domestic and international visitors over its four-month duration.

Over 90 per cent of visitors travelled from outside Bendigo, with local hotels, restaurants and tourism operators reporting increased bookings and activity throughout the season.

The exhibition featured the iconic artist’s personal belongings, fashion collection, make-up, accessories and medical items which were sealed for fifty years in a bathroom in Kahlo’s family home.

Highlights included traditional regional Mexican garments worn by Kahlo, a collection of her favourite Revlon cosmetics, medical corsets worn after spinal surgeries following a traffic accident, and a self-portrait titled Appearances Can be Deceiving.

The gallery has built a reputation for producing blockbusting exhibitions including Elvis: Direct from Graceland, Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits and Grace Kelly: Style Icon.

“We look forward to many more major exhibitions in the years ahead as we undertake a transformation of Bendigo Art Gallery,” director Jessica Bridgfoot said.

Since 2012, these exhibitions have brought more than 688,000 visitors to the region and generated more than $108 million in economic impact for Greater Bendigo.

The gallery’s growing national and international profile is set to expand even further, thanks to an impending $45 million major redevelopment.

Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Gayle Tierney said Bendigo has once again proven it can draw big names and deliver a major economic return for the region.

“This exhibition brought visitors from all over the world – boosting business and putting the spotlight on regional Victoria,” she said.