if I ask you which artist wasn't afraid of tackling social issues, sexual identity,
political activism, and nonconformity you would probably think I
was talking about a current artist right?
Well, you would be wrong!
I'm talking about the one and only Frida Kahlo.
Don't believe me, I bet I can change your mind!
Watch this!
This episode is funded by the Glick Fund
and the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation
Frida Kahlo was born in Coyoacan, Mexico in 1907 in La Casa Azul a tiny blue
house where she lived most of her life.
By the time Frida hit age six she
contracted polio which, caused her to be bedridden for over nine months!
But, that didn't stop her! In school Frida was known to be very
outspoken and brave.
Her dad was by far her biggest champion
and encouraged her to play soccer, swim, and even wrestle!
Of course, at the time
girls were not known to play sports, let alone wrestled
It was about this time
that she saw this guy, Diego Rivera, painting a mural in their school.
Frida who was a bit younger than him, like 20 years younger, told a friend
I'm gonna marry him!
Life went on, and in 1922 a bus Frida was riding in collided with a
streetcar and she was seriously injured.
A handrail impaled her hip, and her spine
and pelvis were fractured.
I can't even imagine the pain she was in.
The accident left her in a full body cast for three months.
To kill the time her parents
bought her paints and built her an easel she could use in bed.
In 1928 that same
man from years earlier, Diego Rivera, discovers Frida and her paintings and is
super impressed.
They were married a year later.
Their marriage wasn't exactly
average, and they were often referred to as the elephant and the dove, which seems pretty accurate.
Both had several affairs one of which
Diego had with Frida sister, so needless to say it was complicated.
Frida often traveled
with Diego as he was commissioned for murals throughout the US.
Frida was often seen in New York with her signature bright, gold, beautiful
clothing, which celebrated her culture.
Soon after Diego gets himself into a
dispute with the Rockefellers over this mural, and they head back to Mexico.
In 1939 Frida heads to Paris where she gets to meet artists such as Joan Miro and
Pablo Picasso who loved her work!
In fact, the Louvre bought one of Frida Spain
teas the first ever from a Mexican artist!
Unfortunately, Frida's health continued to deteriorate, a story told through this painting
called The Broken Column.
Finished in 1944, this gives you not only a
glimpse into the health struggles she had, but also the incredible artistic skill
she possessed.
Frida definitely used art to express all the physical challenges
she faced, which was incredibly brave.
But, it doesn't stop there. In 1950 she got
gangrene in her right foot and was bedridden for nine months, and eventually
had to have part of her leg amputated!
However, she still kept creating and
staying politically active.
In fact, in1953 she had a solo exhibit and on the
opening day she and her bed delivered to the gallery and had to arrive via ambulance!
That is determination!
Unfortunately, soon after on July 13 1954
Frida passed away just before her 47th birthday.
I'm not sure which part of
Frida's story is more powerful; her struggle and ability to keep working
despite her health, or the work itself?
Frida's fame has grown since her death
especially in the 70s during the feminist movement as she was admired as
an icon a female creativity.
Let's face it she makes Wonder Woman look like a joke.
By the way, the film Frida that was released in 2002 was incredible you
should definitely check it out!
Until next time, be Artrageous!
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