Ex Voto Painting — A Folk Art Tradition Beloved by Frida Kahlo
Learn to explore and create these indigenous paintings of gratitude used in Mexico for centuries to offer thanks to the saints for recoveries from misfortune.
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Sun 05 Jul
- $103.00 incl. GST
Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
Discover the captivating folk art tradition that inspired one of the world's most iconic artists. Frida Kahlo was so moved by Mexican ex voto paintings that she collected them throughout her life and drew deeply on their raw, intimate storytelling style in her own work — you can see their influence woven through some of her most celebrated paintings.
Now it's your turn to explore this beautifully simple and deeply meaningful art form. Ex votos are small, heartfelt paintings created in Mexico for centuries as offerings of gratitude to the saints — painted by ordinary people to give thanks for surviving illness, accident, or misfortune. No formal art training needed; that's exactly the point. Their charm lies in their honesty and simplicity.
In this course you'll learn the history and tradition behind these remarkable works, then create your own — a personal, meaningful painting made in a tradition that has endured for hundreds of years and captured the imagination of Frida Kahlo herself.
Course outline
- A brief history of Retablo and ex-Voto painting
- Preparation of initial sketches and related narratives
- Painting the panel
- Completing the ex-voto panel
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this course, you will:
- Have an understanding of the history and art of ex-voto and retablo painting.
- Have learned how to prepare a tin panel for painting.
- Have had time to reflect on your own feelings of gratitude.
- Have prepared drawings and paintings of your chosen event and related narratives.
- Created your own ex-voto painting.
Who should attend?
Anyone eager to understand and create an ex voto painting. This is a very personal exercise so suitable for anyone who wants to either acknowledge adversity and/or give thanks.
What to bring
All course material will be provided. It would be beneficial for participants to give consideration to the event they want to portray and the related narratives. Bring your lunch.
About your tutor, Ann
I am interested in art experiences that require reflection and resolution. Ex-voto painting has a long history initially religion based and in modern times used by everyday people to record and explore their unique experiences and outcomes. Frida Kahlo is an excellent example of this form of painting.
