Frida Kahlo saw art as a way to survive. Born in Mexico City, 1907, she nearly died in a traffic accident as a teenager. To cope during her recovery, she painted.
In 1922, Frida met her life-long partner Diego Rivera and they became dedicated to art and communism. On canvas, Frida mixed together her personal life and political views. The results were surreal, dream-like, strange and raw.
By the early 1940s Frida’s art was taking off, but her health was in decline.
A Few Small Nips, 1935
She continued painting until her death at the age of 47 in 1954.
During her life, Frida was profoundly ahead of her time, dealing with ideas around identity politics which only recently became widespread.
Her work has forged the way for conversations about feminism and disability – challenging ableist ideas across the world.
Today, Frida is a cultural icon like no other. But, for her, art was just survival.
Diego and I, 1949
Self Portrait as a Tehuana, 1943
Self Portrait, Dedicated to Dr Eloesser, 1940
