12/27/2024
DISABILITY ICON: FRIDA KAHLO
By Tina Jackson
Third in a series of stories about famous people with disabilities.
"They will call you ""crazy" because you are, because you were born with the gift of seeing differently and that scares them."
As I researched the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's life, I realized why her story made her a timeless icon for pop culture artists, people with disabilities, and all women.
She was born in 1907 and grew up in a house the family painted blue, hence known as "the blue house." Her life was a life of pain and hardships that began when, at age six, she contracted polio, which caused her to stay in bed for nine months and walk with a limp because of damage to her leg and foot.
Young Frida Kahlo
Growing up, she was made fun of because of her extra facial hair, which caused unibrow, and called "peg leg." School proved too difficult, so she stayed home. While at home, doctors suggested she exercise to keep her leg strong. Her father helped her recover by encouraging her to play soccer, swim, and even wrestle, which was unusual for a girl at that time.
Frida was interested in science and wished to study to be a doctor. When she became depressed, she took a few drawing classes. In 1922, Kahlo enrolled at the renowned National Preparatory School to study science. She was one of the few female students to attend the school and this is where she developed her sense of style. While at school, Kahlo hung out with a group of politically and intellectually like-minded students. To become more politically active, Kahlo joined the Young Communist League and the Communist Party.
Things were looking up for her when, at age 18, on the way to school, she was involved in a severe bus accident which left her with multiple serious injuries including fractures to her spine, collarbone, ribs, and pelvis. A metal rod even pierced her abdomen, causing significant internal damage and lifelong suffering. She had to wear a painful body cast and lay in bed. The accident led to chronic pain throughout her life and the need for 30 medical operations and supportive braces.
This traumatic event confined her again to bed for many months. The accident and her later health struggles became major themes in her art, reflecting her pain and resilience. Her recovery was long and arduous, but it also marked the beginning of her journey as an iconic artist. She began to paint to pass the time and express her pain; emotions became central to her work.
While recovering, her father taught her to see the world through a photographer's eye. She helped him in his studio and would often pose for him to pass the time learning about composition and lighting. He was a professional photographer documenting Mexico's architectural works, churches, streets, and landmarks. Her time in the studio helped her develop a keen eye for detail, which later influenced her artistic style. This accident had a profound impact on Kahlo's life and art, as she turned to painting during her long recovery period to cope with her physical and emotional pain. Her mother had a special easel made so she could lay in bed and a mirror over her bed to paint her famous self-portraits.
Kahlo painting in bed
Frida Kahlo is renowned for her many self-portraits, which were deeply personal and often included imagery of suffering. Self-portraits gave Frida a way to express her feelings that she could not find elsewhere.
Kahlo's first painting, "Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress," was created in 1926. This painting is considered her first professional work and the beginning of her career as an artist.
She married the famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera in 1929. She had first seen him when he was painting a mural at her high school. She met him through the Mexican Communist Party in 1928. Rivera was already a well-known artist, twenty years her senior, and Kahlo was instantly drawn to him. They shared similar ideals about Mexican identity and art, which helped shape a strong connection between them.
Their relationship was marked by intense passion but also significant turbulence, including mutual infidelities and emotional turmoil. Rivera's numerous extramarital affairs, including one with Kahlo's sister, Cristina, deeply hurt Kahlo and contributed to their separation. They divorced in 1939 due to a combination of personal and professional conflicts, but remarried a year later in 1940, unable to completely sever their deep connection. Their relationship continued to be complex and passionate until Kahlo's death in 1954.
As a feminist icon, Kahlo's work challenged traditional gender roles and celebrated female strength and resilience. Her self-portraits and other works became symbols of female empowerment, inspiring women to embrace their own identities and stories.
The Broken column was an expression of pain she endured daily.
Kahlo's art was deeply rooted in Mexican culture and traditions. She used vibrant colors, indigenous symbols, and Mexican folklore themes, helping preserve and promote her cultural heritage and traditions. Frida Kahlo's art was a powerful form of storytelling, enabling her to communicate her innermost thoughts, struggles, and passions. Her work continues to inspire and resonate with people around the world. Her paintings often included personal symbolism and political commentary. She was outspoken about her political beliefs and her art reflected her views on social justice, politics, and the struggles of the Mexican people.
Kahlo was openly bisexual and her relationships with both men and women were reflected in her art. She became an icon for the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting acceptance and visibility through her work and personal life.
In addition to her physical ailments, Kahlo also struggled with mental health issues. Her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera, multiple miscarriages, and ongoing physical pain contributed to ongoing battle with depression and anxiety.
Frida publicly confronted her physical and mental health struggles, an act that was both revolutionary and inspirational. Frida's unflinching honesty about her struggles serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of discussing and addressing mental health, proving that personal battles do not detract from one's ability to create a meaningful, enduring legacy. Through her journey, we are reminded that it is not just acceptable to seek help, but it's a necessary part of the path to healing.
Kahlo's resilience and determination in the face of adversity have inspired countless individuals. This is her real story. Her life and art continue to resonate with people worldwide, encouraging them to overcome their challenges and pursue their passions.
After suffering from chronic pain and health issues all life, Kahlo died on July 13, 1954, at the age of 47 in her blue house. Her home, La Casa Azul (The Blue House), is now a museum dedicated to her life and artwork
