I learned more about Frida back in MFA through my closest friend who's so much into her life. I never thought I'd see her in a different light through the Denver Art Museum exhibit, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism.
She's a dahling of great photographers of her time. And who wouldn't–she's got unique fashion sense and interesting life story. I mean love life too. But most of all, she loves being herself posing for the camera even in her most fragile state, celebrating the beauty of art and life. That's what I sensed through DAM's exhibit, aptly in the midst of pandemic and how the word isolation resonates.
On a personal note, I found that the real star of the show was the photographs, more than Frida's paintings and artworks. The wonderful photography collection from Jacques and Natasha Gelman sparked my interest again in black and white (and analog in general) photography.
The Pottery Shed at Talavera, Coyoacán by Leo Matiz
Frida with Objects on Shelves by Bernard Silberstein
Frida with Olmec Figurine by Nickolas Muray
Frida and Diego during an Anti-fascist Demonstration in Mexico City (unknown artist)
Frida and Diego at the New Workers School, New York by Lucienne Bloch
Diego and Frida in New York Following Destruction of Rivera's Mural (unknown artist)
Frida at the Picasso Exhibition by Manuel Álvarez Bravo
Frida in Her Bedroom by Bernard Silberstein
Frida in Coyoacán by Florence Arquin
Frida and Diego by Martin Munkácsi
Frida and Diego Kissing Following Their Second Wedding (unknown artist)
Frida and Diego with Fulang Chang (unknown artist)
Emmy Lou Packard and Frida in Coyoacán by Diego Rivera
Arturo Estrada and Frida in an Exhibition by Lola Álvarez Bravo
Frida in Bedroom by Lola Álvarez Bravo
Frida with Teresa Proenza by Bernice Kolko
Frida at ABC Hospital Holding a Mirror by Juan Guzmán
Frida in Her Hospital Room with Photographs by Lola Álvarez Bravo
Frida Wearing a Plaster Cast by Florence Arquin
Frida in a Wheelchair with a Sun Umbrella by Florence Arquin
Frida on Bench #5 by Nickolas Muray
Frida with Blue Satin Blouse by Nickolas Muray
Frida with Red Robozo by Nickolas Muray
Frida by Imogen Cunningham
Frida Biting her Necklace by Lucienne Bloch
Frida with a Doily on Her Head by Lucienne Bloch
Frida Leaving the Church by Fritz Henle
Frida In Front of Mirrored Wardrobe by Lola Álvarez Bravo
Frida by Guillermo Dávila
Frida on Stairs Looking Right by Leo Matiz
Frida with Flowers in Her Hair by Bernard Silberstein
Frida and Dr. Farill by Gisèle Freund
Frida's Death Portrait by Lola Álvarez Bravo
Frida and Diego at Funeral by Héctor García
Frida in Her Studio by Fritz Henle
Frida Painting The Wounded Table by Bernard Silberstein
Frida on the Roof-Deck of Nick's Flat by Nickolas Muray
Frida with Xoloitzcuintle Dog by Héctor García
Frida in Front of Her Studio with Monkey Coyoacán by Fritz Henle
If you'd like to see a glimpse of the exhibit for scholarly purposes and appreciation:
May the holiday season and the new year bless us all with more beautiful moments!
I think that the story and memory behind a painting, or an image or objects, make them truly unique and special.
A Discernable Degree of Brightness
Refractions is my first collection of painting created and completed outside my home country. While painting, it did make me think about what course of directions should my art take given that I'm in a new place. Possibilities could be endless. It's both exciting and could be worrisome.
Refractions: my recent collection of painting in acrylic, phosphorescent paint (strontium aluminate, europium, dysprosium), reflective powder, iridescent paint, interference paint on canvas
sizes in 36”x 24”
2020
Glimmer
It's not a cockroach, it's a cricket!!! A lucky cricket.
The effects of light on my works can be difficult to capture in one still image. A lot of details like reflected light and color is missing when I photograph them for documentation.
Isolated, we turn to and create so much art, because it heals.
Seeing through the lens of a transplant, having the chance to look at how each unique worlds cope can be neutralizing in itself. The role of art (visual, music, or motion) changes greatly far beyond six feet apart, even wider when survival is at stake.
On one side, art is the process, a medium–a channel. It's truly all about embracing the expression.
On the other end of the spectrum, it's the product, a commodity. It entertains, mostly.
Within the confines of quarantine, it's our only source of liberation.
Art during these times of crisis offers a discernible degree of brightness.
