Frida Kahlo Portrait Project for Kids
It's not possible to present an accurate picture of our culture without all the voices of the people in the culture. So at the emerging level, you can't have a good survey art show without women and artists of color.
-Frida Kahlo
grab the complete Frida Kahlo Inspired Pencil Portrait + Shadowbox project PDF + Printable pack here:
We do not own the rights to these images. Photographed by: Guillermo Kahlo, 1932; Bettmann/Getty Images; Photographed by: Nickolas Muray, 1939
Frida Kahlo was born July 6th, just south of Mexico City, in Coyoacán, Mexico. Even though Frida was born on July 6th, she insisted July 7th to be her birthday, to mirror the Mexican revolution. She grew up in a big blue house called La Casa Azul with her parents and 5 sisters. Frida was born three years before the beginning of the Mexican revolution. In her writing, Frida described being ushered into the house by her mother as gunfire rang through the streets of her hometown. As a young girl Frida preferred spending time drawing by herself versus playing with her sisters.
At age 6, Frida contracted polio, which damaged her right leg making it smaller than the left. Frida hid this deformity under long skirts.
When she was 18 she was in a terrible bus accident that broke her spinal cord, collarbone, ribs, pelvic bone, leg, foot, and shoulder. The injuries from this accident were so severe and pervasive that they impacted her for the rest of her life. Suffering, isolation, longing, and loss are recurring themes in her portraits, but they are accompanied by an unshakable strength. When you look at the intimacy and detail in these portraits you don’t feel pity, you are left in awe of the survivor. Frida created her own style of painting; blending the mystical qualities of surrealism with the rooted strength of Mexican folk art.
Despite being a prolific and talented artist, Frida spent most of her life known as “Diego Rivera’s wife.” It wasn’t really until the late 70s that Frida’s work was recognized by art historians and political activists. In the 90s Frida reached Icon status as an artist, feminist, and indigenous rights activist.
We do not own the rights to these images. Self portrait with bonito by Frida Kahlo, 1941; Self portrait by Frida Kahlo, 1940; The Frame (painting) by Frida Kahlo, 1939
