Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) owned lots of pets — two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a fawn, and a black cat, to be exact. In “Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird,” one of the artist’s most beloved self-portraits created after her divorce from Diego Rivera, Kahlo even paints a chimp and feline into the scene. But never once did the feminist icon depict herself as an animal. Fortunately, Li Newton — a collage artist with roots in El Salvador, The Bahamas, and Asheville — is here to answer the call. Ménagerie d’Artistes, Newton’s September solo show at Trackside Studios, is all about presenting eminent creatives in animal form. “Frida Gato,” for instance, taps materials from “old magazines, used books, and various ephemera” to depict Kahlo as a green-eyed pussycat. Other subjects include “Pigasso,” “Lionardo da Vinci,” and “Vincent van Goat.”
Through September 30 / Artist Reception: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2-6pm
Atrium Gallery, Trackside Studios / 375 Depot St., River Arts District, Asheville / tracksidestudios375.com