Life and achievements
Early life
Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacan, a suburb of Mexico City. Her father, Guillermo Kahlo, was a German photographer who had settled in Mexico, while her mother, Matilde Calderón y González, was of Indigenous and Spanish origin. This multicultural background contributed to the formation of Kahlo's personality and, therefore, her art.
Frida Kahlo had a rather sickly and accident-prone childhood. At the age of six, she was diagnosed with polio, and as a result of this, her right leg is thinner than the left one. This situation entailed that she had to endure physical pain and disability throughout her life. Nonetheless, Kahlo was a very energetic child who showed interest in art at a young age with her father's support.
In 1922, Kahlo started studying at the National Preparatory School in Mexico City; this was one of the best schools in the country and the only one where girls were allowed to study. She wished to become a doctor and enrol in medical school, but this was not to be as, in 1925, she was involved in a fatal bus accident. The extent of the injuries she had was quite severe; she had fractures in her spine and pelvis. This accident bedridden her for months, and this was the starting point of her art career.
While in the hospital, Kahlo started painting as a means of therapy since she was unable to do anything else due to her condition. Her first works were mainly self-portraits, which could be explained by her tendency to focus on herself and be interested in her image. Kahlo herself said, 'I paint myself because I am often alone, and I am the subject I know best.' This time of solitude and self-reflection was critical in forming her artistry.
Family and Education
Like any other child, Kahlo's early life was characterized by Mexico's political and social events. She was born during the Mexican Revolution, and this war influenced her perception and creativity in her works. Her family home, La Casa Azul in Coyoacán, opened her up to many political and cultural meetings held in the house due to her family's influence. This environment fostered her increasing passion for Mexican culture and the politics of the left.
Kahlo married Diego Rivera, a Mexican muralist, in 1929. They were very much in love but also had a stormy affair, cheating on each other very often. Nevertheless, Rivera contributed significantly to the support of Kahlo's artistic career in marriage. He saw her potential, and she gained fame in the art world.
Legacy
Frida Kahlo's influence is not only in the art world but also in society. She is an icon of strength, perseverance, and uniqueness. She has translated her suffering into art that speaks for every man's suffering.
Frida Kahlo is famous for her vibrant colours, the complexity of her symbols, and her focus on the artist's biography. Self-portraits are among her most famous works, showing her physical and emotional pain and her identification as a woman, a Mexican, and an artist. Kahlo's work was focused on the concepts of identity, gender, class, and postcolonialism, and she depicted the world as it should be rather than as it was.
Kahlo's impact can be seen in many spheres of modern culture. She has influenced many artists, writers, and filmmakers; her life and work are still widely presented in exhibitions, books, and films. The 2002 film Frida, starring Salma Hayek, depicted her life and brought her story to the public.
Apart from her contribution to the art sector, Kahlo is also known as a women's rights activist. Due to her bold depiction of women's experiences, her challenge to patriarchal norms, and her self-acceptance, she has become a key figure in the feminist conversation. She is recognized as one of the pioneers who opened the doors for generations of women artists.
It is also important to note that Kahlo is a Mexican artist, and her heritage plays a significant role in her work. She was influenced by Mexican folk art and the country's indigenous culture, and she was a mestiza woman. Her culture dramatically influences her art; she portrays many Mexican cultures in her paintings. Now, she is considered one of the most famous Mexican artists, and her house, La Casa Azul, is now turned into a museum devoted to her life and work.
Milestone moments
Sep 16, 1925
Bus Accident and the Birth of a New Artistic Period
Frida Kahlo's life was drastically altered on September 17, 1925, when she was involved in a bus accident.
The bus hit a streetcar, and Kahlo was seriously injured with fractures in her spine, pelvis, and right leg.
To pass the time while she was bedridden and in pain for a long time, Kahlo started to paint as a way to express herself and overcome her suffering.
This period can be considered the start of her artistic career, which made her produce more about herself.
The artist's first works were self-portraits depicting the author's physical and psychological pain. These became the basis of her approach to creating paintings.
The accident and the healing process were significant in developing Kahlo's artistic identity and her focus on identity and the human body.
Aug 16, 1929
Marriage to Diego Rivera
Frida Kahlo married Diego Rivera, a Mexican muralist and a political activist, in August 1929.
Their love was intense and stormy. They admired each other but cheated on each other quite often.
However, their marriage had problems that affected their relationship, yet Rivera played a significant role in supporting Kahlo's artistic career.
The couple's marriage brought together two formidable creative talents, and the pair's passion for Mexico and the left remained a driving force in their work.
Kahlo and Rivera married, and their union attracted international attention. Their home, La Casa Azul, became a centre for artists and writers.
The marriage greatly affected Kahlo's life and art, giving her both motivation and heartache.
Nov 16, 1938
First Solo Exhibition in New York
Frida Kahlo had her first solo show at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York in November 1938.
The exhibition included 25 of her paintings and was quite popular; some visitors included Georgia O'Keeffe and Clare Boothe Luce.
The show was a success, and half of the paintings were sold, a significant achievement for Kahlo in her career.
Her success in New York led to her recognition as one of the most important contemporary artists.
This exhibition was essential to obtaining recognition for her particular style, which was based on Mexican folk art with elements of surrealism and symbolism.
Kahlo's success in New York paved the way for other exhibitions and made her one of the most famous artists.
Mar 16, 1939
An Exhibition held in Paris
Frida Kahlo went to Paris for an exhibition in March 1939 organized by the French surrealist André Breton.
The Renou et Colle Gallery exhibition comprised her paintings and Mexican items typical of her culture.
Despite its problems, such as Breton's unfulfilled commitments, the exhibition helped to attract the attention of European artists and intellectuals to Kahlo's art.
The Louvre bought her piece, 'The Frame,' making her the first Mexican artist to be included in the Louvre's collection.
However, the exhibition was beneficial for Kahlo's further recognition on the international level.
Despite her dislike of surrealism and her experiences in Paris, Kahlo gained a lot of attention, which proved that she was an artist to be reckoned with.