Frida's Call

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!