Frida Kahlo in ‘Gringolandia’

overrated, to say the least

What an offensive title for a book! The fetishization of Frida Kahlo continues...

I think you would like to see what D’Argenta is making from Frida Kahlo! https://www.dargenta.com/frida-kahlo-art-home-decor-statues

would love to have images of the works referenced throughout the article....

Not to be dismissive, but if Carolyn Burke actually compares Frida Kahlo’s pain to that of Jesus Christ, this might well make other elements of her text pretty unreliable. Did not an editor or two bring this matter up?

With the background of the Whitney Museum's "Vida Americana" exhibit, this article brings to mind the complex relation between two cultures in the 1930's and the same two cultures in the era of Donald Trump. In the 1930's the Mexican Revolution was creating a new national consciousness on the basis of a historical identity that should make Mexicans proud of who they were. They had faced the powerful nation of the North with the humiliation they suffered by the military occupation of their country that left them bereft of more than half their territory, but, on the other hand the inevitable proximity that made the two nations neighbors and, in fact "Good Neighbors," by FDR's conciliatory definition, signaling the beginning of a new relationship of cooperation and, even perhaps, understanding. Diego Rivera was invited to paint murals in New York, Detroit and California. The rich of "Gringolandia" were exhibiting a sophistication that contrasted with the religious naiveté of Manifest Destiny. Nearly 100 years later, the nearly illiterate but rich Gringo returns to power to put an end to the "Good Neighbor" culture that survived along the two sides of the border. A rich Gringo President is elected with the promise of building a wall to separate again the nations as in the decades of shame and resentment, this time claiming to keep criminals and rapists from entering illegally the land that not long ago was part of theirs.

Frida Kahlo was the daughter of a German Jew of Hungarian ancestry who emigrated to Mexico because he was epileptic. He made his living as a photographer. Although the other side of her family was Mexican Indians, she grew up a strictly middle-class city girl. Whatever you think of her art work, it's worth remembering that the whole Tehuana costume thing was adopted as an adult under the influence of Diego Rivera. It was not the culture she grew up with, it was a culture she self-consciously assumed.

A fascinating, troubled, talented person. Can’t wait to read this! Thank you, Frida, for baring your soul while still managing to keep some secrets for yourself.

I'm glad this article pointed out Frida's mixed heritage. Her last name (from her German father) starts with a "K". Note - ther is no letter "K" is the Spanish language and latin culture of any kind moreover. It is a Germanic letter. There is much German Heritage and culture in Mexico. Selma Hayeck is another prominent person with German/Mexican heritage (notice the "K" in her name too. Linda Ronstadt also. The accordion came into Mexican Music from German immigrants. Mexican Sour Crean too.

One doesn't forget a Frida painting once you see it in person. As Gertrude Stein was the greatest woman poet of the 20th century, so was Frida its greatest female painter. IMHO.

What an amazing artist she was, so far ahead of her time. I could spend hours looking at her work, here on the internet, and wishing I could view them all in person. They speak to me of an amazing life and of the marvelous, incredibly creative person who lived it and chronicled every nuance of her being through her paintings. I read a biography of her a few years ago and remember thinking here is creativity and sensitivity which must be felt through the very eyes of the artist. That her work is, once again, being given a broad, new definition is wonderful. She is most surely a women whose life must be examined by women and men to prod them into finding the creativity and sense of life that dwells deep within us - and to not be afraid to express it in whatever manner defines or re-defines our very own lives through our personal creativity.

My understanding of the pain she suffered and her use of art to navigate the pains of continued life — it’s nice to see the close portrait of the person. It seems palpable. If we would all find such strength, helping each other with that journey when we can... let’s bend the political arena to that end.