Frida Kahlo An artist in Mexico 1907 54

Frida Kahlo An artist in Mexico 1907 -54

• Please watch https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=wfb. LR 1 5 Bh 74 • Next read through the slides to find out more about Frida

“I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration. "

"I leave you my portrait so that you will have my presence all the days and nights that I am away from you. ”

• Kahlo’s life was one of pain and suffering. • At the age of six she contracted Polio which left her with one leg thinner than the other and one of her feet deformed.

• “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best. ”

• Kahlo deeply loved her home, Mexico. She was fiercely proud of her cultural heritage and often depicted herself in native Mexican dress. . .

• . . . and with animals, objects or buildings that symbolised her connections to and love for Mexico.

• At the age of 18 Kahlo was involved in a horrific tram accident that left her with injuries she would suffer from for the rest of her life. . .

• Kahlo barely survived the accident. • An iron handrail was torn loose. It pierced her stomach and was left jutting out of her side just above the hip. • She spent over a year in bed recovering from fractures to her spine, collarbone, ribs, a shattered pelvis, shoulder, eleven fractures in her right leg.

• ‘My painting carries with it the message of pain. ’

• ‘I am not sick. I am broken. But I am happy as long as I can paint. ’ • “I must have full skirts and long, now that my sick leg is so ugly. ”

• Kahlo was forced to give up her studies as a doctor. Instead she turned to painting. • Often working from her bed or a wheel chair, it was sometime before she would walk again.

Fifty-five of her 143 surviving paintings are self-portraits. “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best. ”

• She had a effect on many people and charmed everyone. • People loved her beauty, personality, and talent. • She was also known for her dark sense of humour and sharp wit. • Kahlo loved dancing and parties.

• Kahlo’s health issues became nearly allconsuming in 1950. After being diagnosed with gangrene in her right foot, Kahlo spent nine months in the hospital.

• It wasn’t until 1953, Kahlo received her first solo exhibition in Mexico. She could not leave her bed, but refused to miss out on the exhibition’s opening. Arriving by ambulance, Kahlo spent the evening talking and celebrating from a four-poster bed set up in the gallery. • A few months later her right leg was amputated to stop the spread of the gangrene, developed as a result of being confined to bed for so long. • She died shortly after, aged 47.

• Kahlo’s work remains as a record of her life. Despite the hardships and the constant physical pain it was a full life and an active one.

• "Painting completed my life. " • Frida Kahlo 1907 - 54

Your activity. Start to plan your own self portrait. • This week I would like you to create your own self portrait in the realistic style Frida used. You might include animals like she did and your favourite type of clothing. • Today draw yourself in the middle of the paper – this will leave room to draw a colourful frame with patterns and animals around the edge. Take your time and look carefully at the shapes in your face to help.

Step by step face drawing • • • Divide the page into quarters Draw the shape of an oval Add hair line Add neck Add any details