Frida Kahlo

Artist Spotlight On…

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón

July 6, 1907 – July,13 1954

She was known for her surreal and very

personal art.

Her husband, Diego Rivera, was also a well-

known painter.

“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”

Frida was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and

works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico.

Kahlo was very interested in

medicine – almost becoming a

doctor before she decided to

become a painter.

A car accident that left her in

very poor health changed the

course of her life.

Her art included things that

happened to her in her life.

She was inspired by Mexican culture

but also by the challenges she had to

overcome.In this painting Frida uses pins and

tears to symbolize the pain she felt

after a very serious car accident.

DISCUSS

What do you see?

Frida Kahlo is an important part of Mexican culture. She was even included in the movie Coco!

Frida had a lot of pets including two monkeys, a dog and a parrot and often included them in her self portraits. Do you like her paintings? What do you like about them? What don’t you like about them?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWeR8B7b_Hc

Advanced

What do self-portraits say about us?Almost half of Frida Kahlo’s art were self-portraits. Based on her artwork, what do you think Frida was like in real life?

What are some things that she uses to show who she is?

DISCUSS

CREATE

It’s Your Turn!What makes you, you? Draw yourselfsurrounded by the things that you love, just like Frida did!

CREATE

It’s Your Turn!Frida grew flowers in her garden and then used them in her artwork and wore them in her hair. Let’s make our own paper flowers!

Tutorial available here: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Mexican-Paper-Flowers