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Frida Kahlo I Paint My Reality (New Horizons) /anglais
Born in Mexico in 1907, Frida Kahlo learned about suffering at an early age. She fell victim to polio at the age of six, and was then seriously hurt in a bus accident at eighteen, resulting in injuries that affected her for the rest of her life. The young and indomitable Frida met Diego Rivera, the great mural painter, when Mexico was at a great cultural and political crossroads. They formed a legendary partnership, with a strong attachment to Mexican folk art, a deep commitment to the Communist struggle and a raging artistic ambition that survived all the trials of their marriage. Admired by the Surrealists and photographed by the greatest, Frida was most renowned for her self-portraits and unusual still lifes. This book traces the extraordinary life of this artist whose unforgettable imagery combined cruelty and wit, honesty and insolence, pain and empowerment.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 81 reviews
February 22, 2018
Frida Kahlo is an artist I've always been fascinated by. I'm fascinated by her her life, by her art, by the way she lived her life and what happened to her. She's an interesting woman, one who went through a lot of things and thought for what she believed in.
This biography was interesting because it summarised quite well Frida’s life, but huh does the author actually have a problem with the LGBTQIAP+ community? Once, Frida’s neutral clothes were described as ‘asexual’ and her sexuality was completely erased. It’s one thing not to mention at all that Frida was bisexual, but it’s another to keep on talking about all her male lovers when it’s not needed. If you’re going to mention her lovers, why don’t you mention as well that, per example, Frida Kahlo and Joséphine Baker were also together at some point? Either you talk about Frida's female and male lovers, or you don’t. Don’t just hide the truth.
I still want to read more about her, I want to learn more about her art, not just her life, even though both go hand in hand.
3.5
This biography was interesting because it summarised quite well Frida’s life, but huh does the author actually have a problem with the LGBTQIAP+ community? Once, Frida’s neutral clothes were described as ‘asexual’ and her sexuality was completely erased. It’s one thing not to mention at all that Frida was bisexual, but it’s another to keep on talking about all her male lovers when it’s not needed. If you’re going to mention her lovers, why don’t you mention as well that, per example, Frida Kahlo and Joséphine Baker were also together at some point? Either you talk about Frida's female and male lovers, or you don’t. Don’t just hide the truth.
I still want to read more about her, I want to learn more about her art, not just her life, even though both go hand in hand.
3.5
June 19, 2022
Renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo created some incredible paintings, despite the fact that some of her life was filled with great suffering. She had polio as a child & at the age of 18 was involved in a near fatal accident when a tram crashed into the bus she was travelling on. Although she survived she spent many years in pain & had numerous operations.
This excellent book charts her life, her relationships & her art & it is packed with incident. The text is accompanied by numerous photographs of Kahlo & her work. At less than 150 pages it's informative enough, without getting bogged down in detail.
At the end of this week my wife & I will visit London where we will be going to an exhibition of work by Kahlo & her husband. Although no actual paintings will be on show there will be over 300 images of their work (from small to huge) projected onto the walls of the exhibition rooms.
For details of the Mexican Geniuses exhibition go to www.mexicangeniuses.com/london.
This excellent book charts her life, her relationships & her art & it is packed with incident. The text is accompanied by numerous photographs of Kahlo & her work. At less than 150 pages it's informative enough, without getting bogged down in detail.
At the end of this week my wife & I will visit London where we will be going to an exhibition of work by Kahlo & her husband. Although no actual paintings will be on show there will be over 300 images of their work (from small to huge) projected onto the walls of the exhibition rooms.
For details of the Mexican Geniuses exhibition go to www.mexicangeniuses.com/london.
November 15, 2023
3,5 stelute 😊
"Nu suntem nimic altceva decat un mecanism - sau parte a unui mecanism de ansamblu. Ne indreptam spre noi insine, printre milioanele de fiinte [...] pentru a reveni la unu."
"Nu suntem nimic altceva decat un mecanism - sau parte a unui mecanism de ansamblu. Ne indreptam spre noi insine, printre milioanele de fiinte [...] pentru a reveni la unu."
July 28, 2012
I had never heard of Frida Kahlo until I visited Mexico and discovered that my family’s house in San Angel was in the same square as Diego Rivera’s studio, which is now a museum. After visiting Casa Azul, Frida’s house in Mexico City, I was totally enthralled by this woman, who in such a short life, filled with so much pain, still managed to have such an extraordinary life and an artist that left an unforgettable legacy through her imagery and writing after her death.
Frida Kahlo Painting Her Own Reality by Christina Burrus is one of those books you will love and keep forever, more so if you’re a lover of her art and her life. Beautifully put together, it has illustrations, photographs and some of her paintings and an easy to read story of her life.
It’s not a full-depth biography, but it does give the reader a taste of her life and art. Her life was filled with a lot of pain, loneliness which is reflected in a lot if not most of her paintings.
I loved reading the section of the correspondence between her and her friends.
The one photograph that touched my heart is on page 142 – very moving. This is a book to add to the collection of Frida Kahlo's fans.
Quotes by Frida Kahlo
• I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.
• I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.
• My painting carries with it the message of pain.
• Painting completed my life.
Frida Kahlo Painting Her Own Reality by Christina Burrus is one of those books you will love and keep forever, more so if you’re a lover of her art and her life. Beautifully put together, it has illustrations, photographs and some of her paintings and an easy to read story of her life.
It’s not a full-depth biography, but it does give the reader a taste of her life and art. Her life was filled with a lot of pain, loneliness which is reflected in a lot if not most of her paintings.
I loved reading the section of the correspondence between her and her friends.
The one photograph that touched my heart is on page 142 – very moving. This is a book to add to the collection of Frida Kahlo's fans.
Quotes by Frida Kahlo
• I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.
• I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.
• My painting carries with it the message of pain.
• Painting completed my life.
February 19, 2018
I'm in loveeeee.
December 30, 2020
O carte mică, doar 140 pagini, dar care mi-a oferit o informație bine structurată despre viața Fridei Kahlo.
🔹La vârsta de șase ani Frida se îmbolnăvește de poliomielita, în urma căreia un picior ii va rămâne mai subțire, ea ascunzând în continuare acest defect sub rochiile lungi.
🔹La 18 ani, suferă un grav accident, aflându-se într-un autobuz. Din cauza numeroaselor fracturi, medicii nu-i dau nici o șansă la viață. Frida, însă, demonstrează o capacitate de rezistență la durere ieșită din comun.
🔹În momentul accidentului o bară de fier îi străpunge abdomenul și uterul-- Frida nu va putea avea copii, acest fapt afectând-o foarte mult, suferința fiind prezentă și în unele din lucrările sale.
🔹A fost căsătorită cu artistul Diego Rivera, acesta fiind cu 21 de ani mai în vârstă decât ea. Căsnicia nu a fost una calmă, ambii având mai multe relații extraconjugale (una din aventurile Fridei fiind cu fondatorul Armatei Roșii, L. Trotsky).
În carte, de asemenea, sunt prezentate unele lucrări ale Fridei cu descifrarea simbolurilor. Iar în ultimele pagini sunt fragmente din corespondența și jurnalul intim al Fridei.
🔹La vârsta de șase ani Frida se îmbolnăvește de poliomielita, în urma căreia un picior ii va rămâne mai subțire, ea ascunzând în continuare acest defect sub rochiile lungi.
🔹La 18 ani, suferă un grav accident, aflându-se într-un autobuz. Din cauza numeroaselor fracturi, medicii nu-i dau nici o șansă la viață. Frida, însă, demonstrează o capacitate de rezistență la durere ieșită din comun.
🔹În momentul accidentului o bară de fier îi străpunge abdomenul și uterul-- Frida nu va putea avea copii, acest fapt afectând-o foarte mult, suferința fiind prezentă și în unele din lucrările sale.
🔹A fost căsătorită cu artistul Diego Rivera, acesta fiind cu 21 de ani mai în vârstă decât ea. Căsnicia nu a fost una calmă, ambii având mai multe relații extraconjugale (una din aventurile Fridei fiind cu fondatorul Armatei Roșii, L. Trotsky).
În carte, de asemenea, sunt prezentate unele lucrări ale Fridei cu descifrarea simbolurilor. Iar în ultimele pagini sunt fragmente din corespondența și jurnalul intim al Fridei.
July 23, 2017
Fantastic little book about Friday Kahlo's life and art. A great introduction to her if you aren't familiar with her - all of her iconic art is here and some of the classic images of Frida herself.
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May 18, 2024Uçmak için kanatlarım olduğuna göre ayakları n'apayım ki? s.109.
Acı, keder ve yaratım edimi birbirini besleyen süreçler. Ve bu beslenmeden muhtesem sanat eserleri çıkıyor. Bunun en güzel örneği Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo'nun yaşamı zor ve acılarla dolu. Doğar doğmaz çocuk felci ile tanışan Frida, hayata sanatıyla tutunan bir kadın. Daha sonra geçirdiği otobüs kazasıyla omurilik sisteminin hasar gormesi bile resim yapma tutkusundan onu alıkoyamaz. Hayata tutkuyla ve aşkla bağlı Frida .Diego isimli sanatçıya duyduğu aşk, zamanla yerini kedere bırakır. Bu duygu geçişleri resimlerine de yansır. Rengarenk giysili uzun sacli Frida portresinin yerini saçlarını kesmiş bir Frida portresi alır. Diegonun çok sevdiği saçlarını keserek onunla olan bağlantısını da sembolik olarak kesmiştir Frida .Tablonun üst kısmında yazan " Biliyor musun, seni sevdiysem , saçların yüzünden sevmiştim. Şimdi saçsız olduğuna göre sevmiyorum artık seni" cümlesi bu durumu özetler. Frida'nin yaşamında çalkantı sürerken Meksika'nin siyasi tarihi de de önemli süreçler yaşanır. Bu süreçler de Diego ve Frida aktif rol alır. Onlar sadece sanatc3i degil, aynı zamanda aktivisttir. Trocki ile olan dostlukları bu döneme rastlar. Frida ve Diego sanat çalışmaları için Amerika'da ve Fransa'da bir süre yaşamışlardır. İkilinin bu dönemde farklı sanatçılarla duygusal iliskileri olur. Frida ve Diego'nun arasındaki ilişki sanat yönünden ne kadar besleyici olsa da , Frida'ya acı veren ama kopmayan bağların olduğu bir ilişkidir. Ve bu durum resimlere yansır. Boşanan çift sonra tekrar evlenir. Beraber çalışmalarını yürütürler. Bu sırada Frida'nin sağlık sorunlarını ağırlasir. 47 yasinda vefat eden Frida yerel kültürel ogelerin ve okult sembollerin yer aldığı çok sayıda tablo yapmıştır. O gerçeküstücülük akımının en iyi kadın ressamlarindan biridir. Sadece ressam değil, isyanın, acının ve aşkın da adı olmuştur Frida. Sanatsever okurlar okuyabilir . İyi okumalar
Acı, keder ve yaratım edimi birbirini besleyen süreçler. Ve bu beslenmeden muhtesem sanat eserleri çıkıyor. Bunun en güzel örneği Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo'nun yaşamı zor ve acılarla dolu. Doğar doğmaz çocuk felci ile tanışan Frida, hayata sanatıyla tutunan bir kadın. Daha sonra geçirdiği otobüs kazasıyla omurilik sisteminin hasar gormesi bile resim yapma tutkusundan onu alıkoyamaz. Hayata tutkuyla ve aşkla bağlı Frida .Diego isimli sanatçıya duyduğu aşk, zamanla yerini kedere bırakır. Bu duygu geçişleri resimlerine de yansır. Rengarenk giysili uzun sacli Frida portresinin yerini saçlarını kesmiş bir Frida portresi alır. Diegonun çok sevdiği saçlarını keserek onunla olan bağlantısını da sembolik olarak kesmiştir Frida .Tablonun üst kısmında yazan " Biliyor musun, seni sevdiysem , saçların yüzünden sevmiştim. Şimdi saçsız olduğuna göre sevmiyorum artık seni" cümlesi bu durumu özetler. Frida'nin yaşamında çalkantı sürerken Meksika'nin siyasi tarihi de de önemli süreçler yaşanır. Bu süreçler de Diego ve Frida aktif rol alır. Onlar sadece sanatc3i degil, aynı zamanda aktivisttir. Trocki ile olan dostlukları bu döneme rastlar. Frida ve Diego sanat çalışmaları için Amerika'da ve Fransa'da bir süre yaşamışlardır. İkilinin bu dönemde farklı sanatçılarla duygusal iliskileri olur. Frida ve Diego'nun arasındaki ilişki sanat yönünden ne kadar besleyici olsa da , Frida'ya acı veren ama kopmayan bağların olduğu bir ilişkidir. Ve bu durum resimlere yansır. Boşanan çift sonra tekrar evlenir. Beraber çalışmalarını yürütürler. Bu sırada Frida'nin sağlık sorunlarını ağırlasir. 47 yasinda vefat eden Frida yerel kültürel ogelerin ve okult sembollerin yer aldığı çok sayıda tablo yapmıştır. O gerçeküstücülük akımının en iyi kadın ressamlarindan biridir. Sadece ressam değil, isyanın, acının ve aşkın da adı olmuştur Frida. Sanatsever okurlar okuyabilir . İyi okumalar
September 11, 2020
It's never too late to have a Frida phase, and this book is a very good place to start. It feels exhaustive in its detail despite being such a slim volume. And thankfully it's not merely a dry collection of dates and facts, but goes a long way in arousing empathy for an artist who experienced life so differently from most of us.
I'm ambivalent towards the final section of the book titled "Documents" -- while I'm fascinated by the letters that Frida wrote to friends and lovers and find myself reading them over and over, I'm equally bored by the critical essays that are full of jargon used by critics for the sake of other critics.
I'm ambivalent towards the final section of the book titled "Documents" -- while I'm fascinated by the letters that Frida wrote to friends and lovers and find myself reading them over and over, I'm equally bored by the critical essays that are full of jargon used by critics for the sake of other critics.
August 14, 2020
This book is a window into the life of Frida Kahlo, her pain and suffering (both physical and emotional).
I especially loved the way it explains most of the symbols in her paintings, and what they mean in immense detail.
It's helped me develop a much better understanding of Frida's art and made me appreciate it on a greater level.
It tends to feel like a textbook in between (it's not written like a novel) but I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know more about Frida Kahlo and her work.
I especially loved the way it explains most of the symbols in her paintings, and what they mean in immense detail.
It's helped me develop a much better understanding of Frida's art and made me appreciate it on a greater level.
It tends to feel like a textbook in between (it's not written like a novel) but I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know more about Frida Kahlo and her work.
March 18, 2016
Frida hep bir efsane... İç karartıcı bir hayat hikayesi ama çok sade, güzel yazılmış...
September 3, 2020
Beautiful images throughout the book. Very detailed, but wrote in a pleasant way. Perfect read for someone who wants to dip their toes into Frida's life.
August 5, 2017
Foarte săracă traducerea… Defectuoasă şi corectura. Rating-ul meu e exagerat de pozitiv şi vine mai mult din entuziasmul de a avea contact cu texte din corespondenţa şi jurnalul Fridei. Nu-mi place să atrag atenţia asupra chestiilor negative, în general, când vine vorba despre cărţi, muzică, filme, orice lucru care mă transferă în tot soiul de lumi captivante, dacă ceva nu-mi place consider că acel lucru nu a fost făcut pentru mine, dar cred că în cazul de faţă e necesară menţionarea că astfel de rigiditate în traducere nu merită încurajată. Partea bună e că avem de-a face totuşi cu o ediţie veche, de-acum zece ani şi putem visa că astfel de gafe nu se mai produc, mai ales când există asocieri cu nume notorii, precum Cotidianul şi editura Univers.
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February 19, 2025kinda obsessed with her
March 23, 2017
O carte mica care te introduce in lumea Fridei, care-ti trezeste curiozitatea pentru a continua studiul vietii si operei acesteia si care reda expresiv violenta din existenta artistei.
November 27, 2018
“I paint my reality” just amazing.
February 13, 2022
Güzel ve güçlü Frida’nın oldukça etkileyici ve trajik bir yaşam öyküsü
April 2, 2023
Very informative, however, got a bit lost and tired reading it because of how much info was compacted in this book. Learnt a lot, and admire Frida more though!
January 26, 2020
I was excited to learn more about Frida. However, this book did not focus on her. The author name dropped a lot and credited Frida’s success to other people: her father, husband, men who showed her art in their galleries etc. These points are important and interesting but it was done in a way that undermined her achievements. There was Mexican history that gave her story context, good pictures, some interesting quotes, and it was quick. But after reading this book I don't feel like I know Frida. There was a weird focus on her being ugly, the author brought up several of her male lovers for no reason, and talked significantly about Diego Rivera and his work. This is the first Frida Kahlo book I have read. I was expecting to learn about Frida’s strength (dealing with: polio, severe hospitalizations, several miscarriages, etc.), wit (her fun sarcastic letters), and to get a better understanding of her art. This book did a good job of giving an overview of her artwork but failed at showing Frida’s personality and ability.
June 8, 2015
This book was a quick read for me and did not quench my thirst for knowledge on Frida. I kept having to go to and fro in the book as a paragraph would be speaking about a painting which was featured in the book earlier rather than along side the text about it. There was quite a few repetition of quotes and the use of the yellow pages in the book; which focused on in-depth analysis of a painting, often broke my train of thought.
I did enjoy the number of photos as well as paintings used throughout the book as it helped to give faces to the numerous people Frida met. This book would be perfect for an introduction to Frida's history, but doesn't go into intense detail of all her paintings or her life. It feels more of a 'summary' book, briefly outlining who she was and why she painted.
I did enjoy the number of photos as well as paintings used throughout the book as it helped to give faces to the numerous people Frida met. This book would be perfect for an introduction to Frida's history, but doesn't go into intense detail of all her paintings or her life. It feels more of a 'summary' book, briefly outlining who she was and why she painted.
September 24, 2019
Это не первая моя книга о Фриде, но совершенно точно – самая лучшая.
Биография художницы тут не строится вокруг 2 самых известных фактов из её жизни (авария и измены мужа), а целостно преподносится читателям, начиная аж с того, кем были её родители, чем занимался отец, заканчивая вырезками из писем и дневников как самой Фриды, так и людей, с которыми у неё был близкий контакт.
Конечно, всё это приправлено яркими картинами художницы, с пояснениями о том, почему то или иное произведение появилось в конкретный период её жизни. Трогательно и красиво.
Биография художницы тут не строится вокруг 2 самых известных фактов из её жизни (авария и измены мужа), а целостно преподносится читателям, начиная аж с того, кем были её родители, чем занимался отец, заканчивая вырезками из писем и дневников как самой Фриды, так и людей, с которыми у неё был близкий контакт.
Конечно, всё это приправлено яркими картинами художницы, с пояснениями о том, почему то или иное произведение появилось в конкретный период её жизни. Трогательно и красиво.
November 19, 2019
Удивительная, фантастическая, страстная мексиканка. Человек, на долю которого выпало столько испытаний, физических и душевных страданий, но сумевший при этом сохранить живой юмор, вкус жизни и умение любить. Наверное, поэтому её картины такие пронзительные, чувственные, жестокие и нежные. Книга отличная, погружаешься в биографию и как будто становишься участником, а ещё влюбляешься в эту яркую Фриду и мечтаешь хоть на пару минут оказаться кем-нибудь из Los Fridos.
March 8, 2009
My momma bought this little book for my birthday last January, and I sat in bed and read it last week when I wasn't feeling well. It serves as a great starting point into Frida's works and life, but is by no means comprehensive. I think it did a wonderful job of capturing the magic and sadness of her life, and I cannot wait to read more about her!
June 17, 2020
Concise and ultrashort. I learned that Diego reignited his affair with Cristina during Frida's voyage to Paris in 1939. The fact that Frida rejoined him in marriage lies beyond my comprehension. How deep a need.
I still love her art and her attractiveness. Her personality and appearance meld to create a fascinating woman. But I wouldn't have wanted her life.
I still love her art and her attractiveness. Her personality and appearance meld to create a fascinating woman. But I wouldn't have wanted her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2017
Frida was an amazing woman and I enjoy learning more about her wherever I can. This book had some lovely photos, but I didn't like the way it was laid out/put together. It did not meet my expectations.
January 16, 2023
I love you more than my own skin and even though you don’t love me the same way
May 20, 2022
Only four chapters long, this book offers great detail into Frida Khalo’s life. I’m not sure what I was hoping for, but I was left a little unsatisfied. It was difficult to follow when she was painting and when she was not. The physical layout of the pages were distracting with images of her paintings and captions occupying the margins. I enjoyed the sections of personal letters and passages from Frida’s diary. The analysis on some of the paintings was fascinating.
Frida knew pain in various forms from the moment she entered this world. Her mother was cold and distant, she was diagnosed with polio at age 6, survived the bus accident, had numerous miscarriages and abortions, her husband cheated on her constantly (with her sister even), and lived with continuous physical pain as a result of previous injuries and the surgeries hoped to bring relief. She suffered every single day of her existence. Yet she created beautiful art that celebrated her German and Mexican heritage while astounding the world with her talent. “Schmerzlust” is the German phrase for “pleasure in pain” which captures the essence of her being all too well.
I wish that her dissent would have been discussed more. From prior knowledge, I know that Frida experimented with gender roles and tested social norms. She was defiant in her style and challenged the expectations and limitations others placed on her. She was a trail blazer for women everywhere and I don’t think that was appreciated enough. There were a couple of passages that included her spirit. In a letter to a male friend/suitor (unclear) that had been financially supporting her, she told him she did not need him anymore because she was a “rich bitch”. When Diego begged for her to come back to him after their divorce, she would only agree if he promised that she could be financially independent and they did not have to have sex.
This would be a good book for someone who just wants to know who Frida Khalo was at the surface level. Where she was from, how she was raised, who she loved, what art she created, and what physical trauma happened to her. I think I was unknowingly hoping for something that discussed more of her spirit, thoughts, opinions, and why she is regarded as the cultural icon she is.
Frida knew pain in various forms from the moment she entered this world. Her mother was cold and distant, she was diagnosed with polio at age 6, survived the bus accident, had numerous miscarriages and abortions, her husband cheated on her constantly (with her sister even), and lived with continuous physical pain as a result of previous injuries and the surgeries hoped to bring relief. She suffered every single day of her existence. Yet she created beautiful art that celebrated her German and Mexican heritage while astounding the world with her talent. “Schmerzlust” is the German phrase for “pleasure in pain” which captures the essence of her being all too well.
I wish that her dissent would have been discussed more. From prior knowledge, I know that Frida experimented with gender roles and tested social norms. She was defiant in her style and challenged the expectations and limitations others placed on her. She was a trail blazer for women everywhere and I don’t think that was appreciated enough. There were a couple of passages that included her spirit. In a letter to a male friend/suitor (unclear) that had been financially supporting her, she told him she did not need him anymore because she was a “rich bitch”. When Diego begged for her to come back to him after their divorce, she would only agree if he promised that she could be financially independent and they did not have to have sex.
This would be a good book for someone who just wants to know who Frida Khalo was at the surface level. Where she was from, how she was raised, who she loved, what art she created, and what physical trauma happened to her. I think I was unknowingly hoping for something that discussed more of her spirit, thoughts, opinions, and why she is regarded as the cultural icon she is.
September 15, 2021
A great intro to artist Frieda Kahlo, whose work is described as a ribbon around a bomb. She was revolutionary for her aesthetics, her blending of biography and mythology, and her bravery and dignity in the face of life’s indignities - which she experienced more than most. Her struggles with disability and infertility are heart-breaking.
I had previously had a hard time understanding her reverence for communism. This biography helps contextualise it in terms of her residence in New York in the 1930s when Hooverville was established, and Stalin hadn’t yet been exposed as a mass-murdering maniac. She took part in a communist protest in Mexico just a few days before her death, with her right foot cut off.
Sadly, this book is very heteronormative and totally ignores Frieda’s bisexuality. Her affairs with Trotsky and other men are written about but not her relationship with O’Keefe and other women. Hopefully a new biography turns up soon giving a fresh, less white-washed, insight into Kahlo’s mind. About 40 years after her death two secret rooms were discovered at Casa Azul, the blue house she was born and died in. They were full of thousands of photos, written work and art. There is so much more to learn about Kahlo.
I had previously had a hard time understanding her reverence for communism. This biography helps contextualise it in terms of her residence in New York in the 1930s when Hooverville was established, and Stalin hadn’t yet been exposed as a mass-murdering maniac. She took part in a communist protest in Mexico just a few days before her death, with her right foot cut off.
Sadly, this book is very heteronormative and totally ignores Frieda’s bisexuality. Her affairs with Trotsky and other men are written about but not her relationship with O’Keefe and other women. Hopefully a new biography turns up soon giving a fresh, less white-washed, insight into Kahlo’s mind. About 40 years after her death two secret rooms were discovered at Casa Azul, the blue house she was born and died in. They were full of thousands of photos, written work and art. There is so much more to learn about Kahlo.
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