When Frida Kahlo’s personal archive was sealed away after her death in 1954, it was only meant to be for 15 years. Kahlo was a prominent activist on the Marxist left, and her husband, Diego Rivera, hoped to protect her legacy at a time of anti-communist backlash in Mexico. But – against his wishes – the archive remained hidden for half a century, locked in a bathroom at Kahlo’s beloved family home, Casa Azul.

Once the trove was reopened in 2004, it took conservators four years to catalogue the tens of thousands of photographs, letters, dresses, drawings and other personal treasures they discovered. The results shed new light on the inspirations and motivations behind Kahlo’s intensely personal artwork.

Now, in partnership with Mexico City’s Museo Frida Kahlo, a selection of these stunning objects – including clothes and shoes, jewellery, mementoes, make-up, and items attesting to the physical trauma and surgeries she underwent, including her hand-decorated medical prostheses – has come to Bendigo Art Gallery. Frida Kahlo: In her own image also features a series of original drawings by the artist, and two late-period paintings that have never been seen before in Australia.

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In celebration of this Bendigo exclusive, Visit Victoria and Bendigo Art Gallery are offering Broadsheet readers the chance to win a double to the exhibition, as well as a night’s accommodation at the city’s elegant Ernest Hotel.

On Friday July 4, the winner checks in to the hotel’s The Woodhouse, where the Wagyu is cooked over red gum and the 350-strong wine list leans local, with some interesting European additions.

The winner also takes home the exhibition catalogue (RRP$65) – a handsome volume originally published by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to accompany the 2018 exhibition Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up – and two bottles (RRP$90) from Yarra Valley-via-Bendigo winery Balgownie Estate.

Altogether, the prize is valued at more than $1000. To enter, just tell us in 25 words or less why you would like to see Frida Kahlo: In her own image at Bendigo Art Gallery.

The competition closes on Sunday June 22 – enter now to win.

The winner must be available to travel on Friday July 4 and Saturday July 5. and conditions apply.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Bendigo Art Gallery and Visit Victoria.