Frida Kahlo was considered to be one of Mexico’s greatest artists and was known for her self-portraits after being severely injured in a bus accident in her youth years that was life threatening. Frida went on to make amazing paintings throughout her life that reflected a lot on her emotional and physical state at the time as well as any trauma. She was best seen as a feminist icon for going against gender norms and being apart of the LGBTQ+ community as she was a bisexual. Her being a feminist icon was more appreciated after her death or in more current times than while Frida was actually alive. Although Frida had many health issues, like having polio or complications with her health since her terrible bus accident, and faced significant losses, like the death of her father and a good friend who committed suicide, she did not lose sight of her passion for art. Her emotions were shown through all her pieces which can show stories. Even years after her death in 1954, people still remember Frida Kahlo for more than her art but for her strong personality as well. She proved that nothing can stop her dreams, not a toxic relationship, health issues, or loss.
Kahlo made many amazing art pieces but her most well known one was her Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940) . Another famous piece of hers was called The Broken Column (1944) and it was very symbolic because this was her first painting after her spinal surgery due to complications after her bus accident in 1925, the painting reflected her physical and mental struggles throughout her life. In 1946, Frida received the National Prize of Art and Sciences.
“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.” -Frida Kahlo Source: https://www.fridakahlo.org/
Frida Kahlo was always someone I was a fan of because of her art pieces and her as a person overall. Frida was never scared to be her own person and to do whatever she wanted to despite the judgement from others. She faced many struggles in her life but instead of letting that get to her and ruining what she loved the most, she took the pain she dealt with and let it motivate her to keep going. Frida was a Hispanic and took pride in her features such as her eyebrows which she overgrew and made it a statement. As a Hispanic myself, it was nice to see someone appreciate features like that because it is often frowned upon, especially as a woman, to overgrow an facial hair and not keep it maintained. Frida was not afraid to be judged by anyone and I think that is inspiring, she was truly fearless and fascinating.
Works Cited:
Frida Kahlo: Paintings, Biography, Quotes, electronic resource: https://www.fridakahlo.org/self-portrait-with-thorn-necklace-and-hummingbird.jsp
Biography: Frida Kahlo, electronic resource: https://www.biography.com/artist/frida-kahlo
Prepared by: Miah Correa
