AUTHOR: SOFIA GREEN
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter and still to this day is considered a feminist icon. She is considered one of Mexico’s greatest artists, painting mainly self-portraits, such as the one above Las Dos Friday. She faced many challenges throughout her life and pushed through it all.
She was born in Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico, on July 6th, 1907. When she was a child, she contracted polio and was bedridden for nine months. However, her father encouraged her to be active through sports, which was highly uncommon at the time.
Kahlo became more politically aware and involved as she grew older, joining the Mexican Communist Party and the Young Communist League.
On September 17th, 1925, Frida Kahlo suffered a near-death accident. A bus accident left Kahlo with many life-changing injuries, including fractures in her spine and pelvis. Nevertheless, she began painting in her recovery and finished her first self-portrait the following year.
Kahlo used her art to express herself and often had hidden meanings behind her paintings.
Such as this painting, ‘Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird’, has many objects and symbols that represent her new life after her accident.
Butterflies are seen as a symbol of resurrection, representing Kahlos’ resurrection’ into her new life as an artist. The thorns are also said to represent Jesus’s thorn crown he wore before his crucifixion.
Her artworks always told a story, whether it was about what was happening in the world or about her personal story.
She had a rich life involved in politics, feminism and continuing her successful art career. Unfortunately, Frida Kahlo passed away on July 13th, 1954, being only 47 years old. Frida left her mark on history for many different reasons, but here are some of the most important.
Frida Kahlo was an LGBTQ+ icon:
Kahlo married her childhood friend, Diego Rivera. Kahlo said that he was one of her “great accidents”, the other being her bus accident. As well as her marriage with Rivera, Kahlo had relationships with both men and women.
Her legacy lives on today:
Frida Kahlo is seen as a resilient artist who survived through more challenges in a few years than many would face in their entire lives. She is seen as a heroine for minority groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, and she is one of the world’s most recognized artists.
Frida Kahlo was a talented artist who turned her pain into beauty. She is remembered today as one of the most revered artists and as a perseverer and survivor. Her legacy continues to live on today and will continue to live on in the future.
“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”
Frida Kahlo