“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.” Frida Kahlo
My favorite artist’s work is coming to Philadelphia. I am a huge fan of Frida Kahlo. This woman was born just a few days shy of my birthday and I relate to the power of her art like no other.
She was a brilliant artist caught up in a tumultuous relationship. Her husband, Diego Rivera, was an equally famous artist and they were the toast of Mexico and at the center of the renaissance taking place in the art community in their day. They singlehandedly put the Mexican art scene on the map and became the toast of art circles throughout the world.
Frida loved Diego passionately. He loved her equally but also had a penchant for other women….including Frida’s sister.
Her paintings reflect her physical pain (she was in a major trolley accident as a teenager and wore a metal back brace for most of her life.) and her emotional pain. She dealt with her love of an unfaithful man, her infertility and her thoughts of death.
Her art was personal and passionate. If you haven’t seen the movie starring Salm.a H.ayek….do so. If you have a chance to check out her exhibit…I encourage you to do it.
This painting of “Two Fridas” shows her on the right in her traditional Mexican dress, holding a picture of her husband Diego. This was the Frida that Diego loved. On the left, the Frida in the European style dress. The enlightened Frida embracing change, wanting to grow……the Frida she longed to be….the Frida with the broken heart. The one bleeding to death while the other Frida lived.
You need to go check her out when the exhibit comes to town.
Wow, thats deep. I think I have that movie upstairs. Hmmmmmm, I can’t sleep so I may as well go watch it! lol
Her work is magnificent! What I know about her, I learned in college in Art Appreciation. Who knows, maybe this show will end up at the Birmingham Museum of Art or the High Museum.
I am not a huge art fan but I do love me some Frida (unibrow and all). LOL
I just wanted to share in case someone wanted to do something different. And yes, the movie is great!!!
I did a little reading about her at the time the movie was coming out. An interesting life she led.
I too love Frida Kahlo. Selma did an awsome job playing her too. Anyway, I know that exhibition is going to be tight! I hope it comes south. I’ll travel to the ATL , Richmond or Washington (these museums I can vision having a show of that caliber) if it comes. Maybe here in the QC a few years from now. Frida was a DEEP artist and has inspired many other female artists and art historians.
Not an art fan??? I know a lot of people who feel the same way (no wonder I can afford to eat only beans and wieners LOL), but there is always that one artist that a person can relate to.
Ok Sixty.. you have just added something to my list of UPGRADES for 2008.. my knowledge of art, etc.. as I UPGRADE in 2008.. Is the movie self titled? If not shoot it to me and I’ll pick it up and watch it this weekend..
Thanks chica!
Thanks for gearing me towards something different and I will check out the movie.
I knew I liked you for a reason! LOL I actually have a book of her paintings. Being a Latin American Civ/Lit major, I took numerous classes where we were exposed to her work and life’s story. I think much of her art reflects the duality with which many Latin American women experience conflicting influences, particularly from our men.
I wanted to see this movie when it was released but never got around to it. I’ll definitely check it out.
I hope this exhibit comes here too!
I’m not an art fan because I can be somewhat oblivious. Like the picture the Two Fridas…I would never have interpreted it that way. But now that it’s been explained to me, I’m curious to know more about her, especially since that painting speaks to so many women: working moms, wives, women in relationships, as well as private and public identity. Fascinating.
Did I ever tell you I love coming by here???
Ms. Lee….please watch the movie….you will become Frida obsessed. The movie breaks down each painting and where she was emotionally when she painted them. It is fascinating. I know you will love it.
I forgot to mention 1969, that was one of the best interpretations I ever read. That’s better than some of the best historians who try to read too much into an artist’s work.
wow that is deep….i can relate…thanks for the art lesson mrs. 19!!!
wow. i’m a big georgia o’keefe fan.
Gurl I loved this movie so much I had to own it! You gonna make me pull it back out!
If her exhibit comes to town I will definitely go!
I loved the opening quote & how you explained the last art feature.
Hi there,
My name is Yeam, an undergraduate from Australian National University. Bruce Hall (one of the residential accommodation in ANU) is going to publish an academic journal entitled “Cross-sections” which features a prestigious inter-disciplinary mixture of outstanding undergraduate coursework by residents of Bruce Hall.
One of the essays that will be published this year is an autobiography of Frida Kahlo. It features 2nd picture in this particular entry (http://nineteen69.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/two_fridas.jpg). Therefore, as one of the editors of Cross-sections, I would like to seek your permission to publish the picture in the journal.
Hope to hear from you.
Many thanks.
-Yeam-
Bruce Hall, ANU.