A mirror was installed above her bed, enabling her to create self-portraits. During one of many long convalescences, Kahlo began painting. Kahlo would have life-long health issues, resulting in several traumatic miscarriages.

Multiple surgeries over the years were to no avail, and her lower right leg was ultimately amputated. At age six, polio permanently affected her right foot and leg, and then at age eighteen, she sustained serious, extensive injuries during a traffic accident. Born June 6, 1907, Kahlo claimed 1910 as her birth year because she so identified with the Mexican Revolution that began at that time. Kahlo developed her distinctive persona by turning tragedy into art. “ after Salma Hayek’s…2002 biopic Frida, things really escalated.” “…Frida’s art wasn’t hugely touted-but her clothing and appearance were, and that’s what got most of the attention.” Things began changing after Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera was published in 1983, Dasal observes. Jennifer Dasal, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), explains that Frida was considered a fascinating personality, and more a subject of curiosity during her lifetime. While Kahlo is now an art rock star, this wasn’t always the case.

Arguably the most famous female artist of all time, she was never one for convention.Īn internet search for Frida Kahlo results in everything “Fridamania,” including socks, throw pillows, mugs, cell phone cases, and sneakers–even a controversial Barbie doll and an upcoming line of cosmetics, complete with unibrow palette. Frida is also the story of her tempestuous marriage to the muralist Diego Rivera, her love affairs with numerous, diverse men such as Isamu Noguchi and Leon Trotsky, her involvement with the Communist Party, her absorption in Mexican folklore and culture, and of the inspiration behind her unforgettable art.Mexican Modernist, surrealist, magical realist, or naïve artist–it has always been challenging to categorize Frida Kahlo. But her remarkable paintings were only one element of a rich and dramatic life.

Kahlo's unique talent was to make her one of the century's most enduring artists. To salvage what she could from her unhappy situation, Kahlo had to learn to keep still - so she began to paint. Born near Mexico City, she grew up during the turbulent days of the Mexican Revolution and, at eighteen, was the victim of an accident that left her crippled and unable to bear children. A reissue of the beautifully illustrated and authoritative biography of Frida Kahlo, publishing in time for a major London exhibitionįrida is the story of one of the twentieth century's most extraordinary women, the painter Frida Kahlo.

Herrera frida kahlo