INSIDE THE CLOSET OF FRIDA KAHLO
Artist Frida Kahlo was a larger than life character who inspired many throughout her life and continues to be a leader and influencer in the fields of fashion and art. After her passing, her husband and fellow artist Diego Rivera asked for all of her belongings to be locked up in a bathroom in their Mexico City home, known as Casa Azul and for them to stay sealed until 15 years after his own death.
After his passing in 1957, the house became converted into a museum, yet the room where Frida’s belongings were stored remained closed until 2004 when they were finally revealed. When the museum made the decision to open the room to catalogue its belongings, Japanese photographer Ishiuchi Miyako was invited to Mexico City to photograph over 300 items left by the famed artist.
Frida Kahlo, who was disabled as a child from Polio and later suffered a horrific accident at the age of 18, would mask her disabilities under colourful garments inspired by traditional Mexican dresses and elaborate embroideries.
Her disabilites meant she had to wear body casts she decorated with paint and attached long, bright skirts too.
Even through her disabilities and pain, which was reflected mainly in her art, she kept herself surrounded by bright and joyful items which included her clothes. Here is a picture of a bathing suit she wore.
A year before her death, Frida’s leg had to be amputated because of gangrene. Despite such sad circumstances, Frida ensured to keep life and vibrancy around her, even decorating her prosthetic leg with a hand embroidered red boot.
The photos of Frida Kahlo’s personal belongings by Ishiuchi Miyako are displayed at the Michael Hoppens Gallery in London from May 14 to July 12, 2015.
– Photo Credits : Ishiuchi Miyako courtesy of Michael Hoppen Gallery – Words by Nathalie Billard-Arbelaez
Article found on: http://www.levelshoedistrict.com/magazin
