Monday, July 06, 2009

Today would have been the 102nd birthday of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

I have a very deep love for Frida. (If I would have had my way The Phi would probably been named Frida!) Back in my community college days I spent a summer in Cuernavaca, Mexico. When we got there my boyfriend at the time and I's luggage was lost so we had to take an extra trip back to Mexico City. While we were there we had time to kill so we went to the Frida Kahlo Museum. I had no idea who Frida Kahlo was at the time. (I know I was still such a young Chicana with so much to learn!). The museum is Frida's Blue House and I was fascinated.

When I got back I read everything I could about Frida. I loved the Selma movie, and cried when I saw the Frida exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Art. In honor of her big day I want to share my favorite Frida Kahlo piece......


This was the last painting she did and ironically is is titled "Viva La Vida" (Long Live Life). I love the color and the message and the change of pace from her usual heart wrenching pieces. This piece leaves me with the thought that maybe Frida knew the end was near and had found some peace and happiness in her final days.

What is your favorite Frida painting?

2 comments:

  1. My favorite is the"Flying Bed" it hits home because, like Frida I miscarried (4 times) each worse than the other. My favorite quote by her is "I am not sick, I am broken" That also resonates with me. 13 months on medical leave,because I was broken. Will you be going up to L.A. for any of the Frida events?

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  2. Oh, this is a tough one for me. After seeing the exhibit in S.F last year, its tough to say which one is my favorite because they were all soooo amazing! If I *had* to choose, it would be Two Fridas. The other would have to be the one she painted of her and Diego on their wedding day. I loved the little red polka dots on her shoes. You can't see them in photos, but in person they were so delicate and tiny. LOVED IT.

    I didn't get into Frida until my first year of college--1990.

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