FRIDA KAHLO Born Frida Kahlo de Rivera on

FRIDA KAHLO

Born Frida Kahlo de Rivera on July 6, 1907. She was a Mexican painter who is best known for her self-portraits. Kahlo's life began and ended in Mexico City, in her home known as the Blue House or Casa Azul. She died July 13, 1954.

Why are Frida and her work so famous? Her work has been celebrated in Mexico as emblematic of national and indigenous tradition, and she is adored by feminists worldwide for her uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.

What kind of art did Kahlo make? Naïve art or folk art, self-portraits, sometimes surrealist (dream- like). Frida rejected the "surrealist" label; she believed that her work reflected more of her reality than her dreams. Kahlo created at least 140 paintings, along with dozens of drawings and studies. Of her paintings, 55 are self-portraits which often incorporate symbolic portrayals of physical and psychological wounds. She insisted, "I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.

Life Changing Events Tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera (famous muralist, political activist) Bus accident at 18 Lifelong health problems as a result Father was a photographer/artist Contracted polio at 6 She is quoted as saying, "I suffered two grave accidents in my life. . . One in which a streetcar knocked me down and the other was Diego. "

Frida Kahlo - Self-portrait as little deer (1946) In this painting of a young stag fatally wounded by arrows, Frida expresses the disappointment which followed the operation on her spine in 1946, which she had optimistically hoped would cure her of her back pain. Frida used her own pet deer "Granizo" as a model for this painting. The deer in the painting is surrounded by trees and trapped, transmitting a feeling of fear and desperation, with no way to escape from the situation. The true meaning of this painting is open to many interpretations. Some say this painting portrays Frida's inability to change her own destiny, or, Frida's frustration over the failed surgery, or, a surreal painting of Frida enraged in the battle of the sexes.

3 Gifts An operation at the best NY hospital to repair her spine A menagerie of rare pets - colorful singing birds, monkeys, llamas and more!A private zoo. A time machine and tickets to Art. Garden-Life To save her from a lifetime of pain So, she would never be lonely. She could visit the present and see the joy she brings to so many. We could visit the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens Frida Kahlo show together.