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Homage to Frida Kahlo 1907 to 2007
By Claire Carew
Frida Kahlo showing
us all that suffering could not wither, nor sickness
stale her infinite variety.
Carlos Fuentes
The
Diary of Frida Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo
I paint myself
because I am alone. I am the subject I know best.
A woman of strength
and courage graced this earth and lives through her art
and photographs today. That woman we know as Frida Kahlo.
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Over 400 thousand
people attended the exhibition
Homage to Frida Kahlo
at the Museo Palcio de
Bellas Artes [Mexico City] from June to August 2007. The
long lines of people waiting 2, 3 hours and up to 5
hours to enter Bellas Artes was history making and
confirmed Frida’s rightful place as an artist of great
recognition. On the last day August 19th
Bellas Artes extended its hour of closing to midnight
and still people were turned away. Snaking, double and
triple snaking around Bellas Artes and along city blocks
we quietly waited, purchasing treats from vendors who
constantly worked the lines beckoning us to eat a little
and save our strength to view Frida’s work.
As a visual artist
who is often globe trotting and gallery hopping; these
were undeniably the longest lines I have seen anywhere
for an art exhibition. Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van
Gogh have not had lines like this. Art exhibitions do
not often attract this many people.
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Reflecting on this
phenomenon I began to conduct informal interviews.
“Tell me why you like Frida’s work. Why did you come”? The answers were
often vague. Some went to see her art work, others
because they couldn’t get enough of her life story and
some, because they heard so much about the exhibition
from the media and knew it was history making, attended
the show.
Ricardo and his
wife Alejandra both lawyers were visiting the Bellas
Artes for the first time even though they work within
walking distance. They, like most people, are not
gallery goers. “We came because we like her work and her
life story.”
On entering Bellas
Artes it was “stop and go” we slowly made our way to
each painting each letter, each photograph with the
reverence you would pay to someone who had just died.
We marched often
silently reading the analysis by historians and art
critics below each painting. On occasion tears flowed
readily from the eyes of those who identified with her
pain and her art.
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With
65 well executed
oil paintings, 45 drawings, water colors,
and etchings; this retrospective clearly
established that Frida Kahlo was a talented
artist who understood the principles and
elements of design, composition and had a
thorough knowledge of oil painting
techniques.
Taking a closer
look at her biographical paintings I took
note of the intricate details of her work.
For example in
the painting Two Fridas 1939 the prominent
display of the hearts speak of sacrifice and
reminded one of the Aztecs sacrificing human
beings. In many of her paintings the hands
dance, gesture and direct the viewer’s eye
to another aspect of the painting.
One of the
paintings that I was quite impressed is
titled Autorretrato con medallion
1948. Self portrait with medallion. Frida
painstakingly painted the intricate details
of the lace head dress the folds of the
fabric and the flowers and once again her
eyes confront the viewer straight on. Her
expression is serious. |
There were also more than 50
letters and over 100 photographs of Frida that
exemplified the depth and strength of this woman. I
don’t recall seeing any photos of Frida smiling. She was
always serious and dressed in a dignified regal manner.
However there is one photo that showed the tenderness
of the woman. It is a black and white photograph by Paul
Juley of her sitting with her shoulders revealed.
She commanded respect and
ensured that we the public took her seriously and
learned of the various groups of indigenous people
living in Mexico by the type of clothing she chose to
wear.
Frida consciously decided
against the norm of wearing sensuous frivolous
uncomfortable clothing that so many women are encouraged
and feel obliged to wear.
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In a
world of clear class distinctions,
arrogance, race and often disparaging
dismissal of all that is Indigenous, Frida
stood and continues to stand above all in
demonstrating her love and respect for the
Indigenous peoples of Mexico. Her
forthrightness, strength and portrayal of
herself proudly dressed in indigenous
traditional clothing were truly a statement
of courage. Not too many would risk the
ridicule and the stares she faced in Mexico,
USA and France as she walked down the street
wearing colorful indigenous clothing
distinctly different from European style of
dress.
Frida
Kahlo suffered a terrible bus accident as a
teenager that resulted in over 32 operations
and her inability to conceive children. She
lived a tumultuous life with Diego Rivera
the famous muralist and they were married
twice. Frida Kahlo appeals to many of us as
her life and art represents the diverse
people we are today. |
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Physically
disabled, she used a wheel chair when need be. She was
openly bisexual and of Indigenous, Spanish, and Jewish
ancestry. An accomplished artist and a member of the
communist party she voiced her opinions often in
demonstrations. One of her last photographed public
demonstrations was in support of the people of
Guatemala.
Today she would be
considered an environmentalist as her work often depicts
landscapes animals and flowers. Her emotional and
physical pain many of us know of personally. She gives
meaning to our vulnerabilities. Her struggles are
ours, her beliefs and values we share and support.
Long Live Frida is
indeed true. She continues to live in the hearts and
minds of many people. She is a part of us and will
continue to live as long as we continue to identify with
her trials and triumphs. Frida the artist. Frida the
communist. Frida the feminist. Frida the naturalist.
Frida we will never
forget you.
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photo top left--Claire Carew and her Cuban translator.
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posted 6 December 2007 |
