One of the first truly global artists who turned herself into an art icon and only became world famous after her premature death.
Frida Kahlo was one of the first truly global artists- a cultural phenomenon, and an internationally recognised figure. She produced more than 150 images of herself-'I am my own muse; the subject I know best’ she once wrote-she turned herself into an art historical icon and yet her small and eccentric paintings went largely unnoticed in her lifetime-it was only after her death, age 47, that her career exploded. Cindy Polemis will explore the life and legacy of the extraordinary and incomparable Frida Kahlo.
NOTE: Tate Modern will be holding a major retrospective of Kahlo's work from 25 JUNE 2026 – 4 JAN 2027
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mrs Cindy Polemis
Cindy Polemis is an art historian, independent lecturer and art guide. She has a BA in Modern History from Oxford University and as a mature student she went back to university to study first for a BA and then for a Masters in History of Art at Birkbeck College, London University. Before that she spent many years as a radio producer and presenter for the BBC World Service working in news and current affairs. Since 2016 Cindy has worked as an official art guide at Tate Britain and Tate Modern. She has also been a trustee at the Museum of the Home, formerly the Geffrye Museum. Cindy has accumulated a wide range of art historical knowledge ranging from 18th European and British art to the contemporary international art scene. She has been an official guide for both Frieze Masters and Frieze Art Fairs in London. She is particularly keen to draw parallels with art and social history and her lectures are accessible and engaging, drawing out the stories of art and artists which are steeped in human emotions and experiences which we all share.
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