Frida Kahlo

I haven't made a library post in a while, but I want to make one or two quick notes.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was a Mexican surrealist artist in the early 20th century. Most of her paintings were self portraits that contained symbols representing certain things in her life, such as painting her heart outside her body, to show that she felt vulnerable, or an unborn fetus to represent her miscarriages. She also used symbols derived from Mexican mythology. She had a very strong national pride, and she supported communism, especially in her later life.

Frida Kahlo began seriously painting when she was 18 after becoming seriously injured in a bus crash. This crash damaged her pelvis in such a way that she could never conceive children. A few times she tried, but she only ended up with miscarriages. This was a heavy emotional weight on her.

Her husband was an artist who also had great merit of his own, Diego Rivera. Rivera was very supportive of Kahlo's art work, but he was also a substantial adulterer. One time, he even had an affair with Kahlo's sister. In response to his affairs, Kahlo had a number of affairs of her own, with some well known people such as the Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi and even Leon Trotsky.

Her health deteriorated over her life and eventually she died at the age of 47. Still, she is remembered for defining Mexican culture and creating unique self-portraits that captivated viewers.

The book I read on Frida Kahlo helped inspire this writing post.