SUBMISSION

ARTIST | FEMINIST | ACTIVIST

Frida’s existence was characterized by almost unimaginable suffering. She had crippling polio as a child and as a teenager was severely injured in a streetcar accident. Through 32 surgeries and countless complications, she suffered terribly for the rest of her life. Bedridden, her parents bought a customized easel and many of her creations were painted lying in bed or from a wheelchair.

When Frida approached the famous activist Mexican painter, Diego Rivera, to critique her work, he immediately recognized her talent. She knew he was a notorious womanizer but they married, divorced and remarried. This volatile relationship was another of her great heartbreaks.

Kahlo's works are usually populated by sad, disturbing portrayals of pain. Employing her characteristic folk-art style, she also examined themes related to Mexican national and indigenous traditions, socialism and feminist ideas.

The last sad chapter of her life Frida was bedridden, deeply depressed, hooked on painkillers and Diego began yet another affair. Seemingly anticipating her death, Frida spoke about it to visitors, gave Diego an early anniversary gift, and drew skeletons and angels in her diary. Evidence suggests and historians believe she committed suicide. The nurse who faithfully counted her pain pills insisted far too many pills were missing.

Kahlo's art remained relatively unknown until the late 1970s when political activists and art historians rediscovered her work. Her fame has only grown since then, and on the rare occasion one of her paintings comes up for sale, it sells for millions of dollars.