Diego Rivera, Sunflowers, 1921

Widely regarded as the most prominent figure in the Mexican muralist movement, Diego Rivera’s extraordinary body of work represents various facets in art history such as naturalism and cubism, paradigms that deeply influenced the Mexican painters of his time.

This exhibition comprises of 34 pieces of art from the state of Veracruz in Mexico, all produced during the 52 years of Master Rivera’s prolific career. Ranging from landscapes to still life, portraits, nudes and scenes of indigenous daily life, the works deploy a range of techniques in painting, aquarelle, collage, pencil, coal and ink drawings, offering a glimpse into the prolific life and works of Diego Rivera.

The collection showcases several works that were produced during his stay in Europe, where he befriended many renowned artists and personalities of the era, such as Picasso, Mondrian, Modigliani, French art historian Elie Faure and Russian writer Ilya Ehrenberg, amongst others. The artistic influence of his prominent circle of friends is reflected in the works of his European Years (1912-1917). Many of these pieces have been forgotten or destroyed by the artist himself, making the surviving ones in this collection exceptionally special for their debut exhibition in Southeast Asia.

The exhibition is presented by the Mexican Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), the Veracruz Institute of Culture (IVEC), the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXID) and the Embassy of Mexico in Singapore in collaboration with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore.

Exhibition: Diego Rivera: Pride of Mexico
Dates: 13 Feb – 12 Apr 2015
Hours: Tue – Sun 11am – 7pm, closed on Monday
Venue: Art Galleries at NAFA, 80 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189655