The Disturbing Truth: Frida Kahlo's My Dress Hangs There
The Disturbing Truth:
Frida Kahlo’s My Dress Hangs There
Art is not always pleasant, but neither is society. Art and society have a reflective relationship with one another. During social, religious, and political controversy, artists such as Frida Kahlo incorporated imagery into their portraits of society which are often disturbing to the viewer. The role of an artist often includes acting as a social critic, to show us aspects of our cultural landscape that are unpleasant. In this manner, the art acts as a commentary on the negative aspects of Western civilisation. During the thirties and forties, Kahlo incorporated the hidden realities of economic and social depression into her works.
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist, most often recognized for her series of self-portraits. These works explore the physical and emotional agony that she endured during her short life. Frida’s works, arranged chronologically, could serve as a pictoral summary of her life, political and social developments, and subsequent resolutions. She endured many tragic events including acquiring Polio, a debilatating accident, an unfaithful marriage, and a slow, painful death. Her career as an artist was overshadowed by the success of her husband, Diego Rivera, and never given significant attention until the Feminist movement in the sixties, after her death.
Stylistically, Frida’s paintings seem to follow the Surrealist movement, however, she was never acknowledged as an official member. André Breton, founder of the movement, assisted in the organization of her Exhibition. In the later years of her life, Frida made a living from her work, although most of her accomplishments as an artist were after her death. Frida was the first Mexican artist to sell a work for more than $1 million and also the first to have work purchased by the Louvre in Paris.
Frida’s involvement in Politics began at an early age with her enrollment at the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, one of the best schools in
Frida Kahlo’s My Dress Hangs There
Art is not always pleasant, but neither is society. Art and society have a reflective relationship with one another. During social, religious, and political controversy, artists such as Frida Kahlo incorporated imagery into their portraits of society which are often disturbing to the viewer. The role of an artist often includes acting as a social critic, to show us aspects of our cultural landscape that are unpleasant. In this manner, the art acts as a commentary on the negative aspects of Western civilisation. During the thirties and forties, Kahlo incorporated the hidden realities of economic and social depression into her works.
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist, most often recognized for her series of self-portraits. These works explore the physical and emotional agony that she endured during her short life. Frida’s works, arranged chronologically, could serve as a pictoral summary of her life, political and social developments, and subsequent resolutions. She endured many tragic events including acquiring Polio, a debilatating accident, an unfaithful marriage, and a slow, painful death. Her career as an artist was overshadowed by the success of her husband, Diego Rivera, and never given significant attention until the Feminist movement in the sixties, after her death.
Stylistically, Frida’s paintings seem to follow the Surrealist movement, however, she was never acknowledged as an official member. André Breton, founder of the movement, assisted in the organization of her Exhibition. In the later years of her life, Frida made a living from her work, although most of her accomplishments as an artist were after her death. Frida was the first Mexican artist to sell a work for more than $1 million and also the first to have work purchased by the Louvre in Paris.
Frida’s involvement in Politics began at an early age with her enrollment at the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria, one of the best schools in
Bibliography: Herrera, Hayden. Frida Kahlo: The Paintings. Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 1991. Laux, Peter. Famous Mexicans on their Stamps. Frida Kahlo: A Tormented Soul on Display. Mexicana, The Journal of Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International, January 2002. Trudell, Megan. The Passion and Politics of Frida Kahlo. Socialist Worker Online, issue 1955. June 11, 2005. Whittaker, Harry. The Frida Kahlo Exhibition at the Tate Modern: A brief biography and review of her works, Oct 7, 2005.