Artist 9: Frida Kahlo

Friday Kahlo was born July 6, 1907 in Coyocan, Mexico. She was born in La Casa Azul, or, The Blue House, which today is maintained as a museum of her. La Casa Azul was donated by Diego Rivera, Frida's husband and fellow painter, in 1957 when he died.

Frida Kahlo is an interesting choice for me, as to be quite honest, I do not like her work. "Why would you choose her then?! Everyone likes her work!" Well, you see, I didn't choose her as an artist to cover because of her style or talent, I chose her because of how she handled art and her less-than-normal symbolism used.



I think that for the most part, her pictures are creepy. And not in the good way. They really aren't pleasing to my eye in the least bit, because of color schemes, awkward positioning, lack of contrast and depth. However, she brings some very interesting themes into her works. So while I think her pictures are, well, not to my liking in the least bit, she clearly has brought in some strange ideas that I will elaborate on.

Her self-portrait, "The Two Fridas" is an incredibly unique work. I think a self portrait such as this is something to be admired, as it is so "out there" and strange. Here, Frida has 2 self-portraits who seem to be connected with this hearts as a strange string is strung between the two. The Frida on the left is holding scissors which has just cut the string and it is now bleeding on her dress. I suppose it would be accurate to say that the string was a blood vessel or something. THIS is the kind of stuff I like about her work. The unique and odd ideas and symbolism she introduces, things never thought of before or at least not expressed in art. That being said, that's the only part of her work that I like.