You can almost taste the juicy watermelons in this still-life painting inspired by one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Frida Kahlo.
She was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyocoán, Mexico City, Mexico. Frida Kahlo was always interested in sketching, drawing and painting and filled many sketchbooks as a child. At the age of 6 she contracted polio which injured her right leg and caused issues for her throughout her lifetime.
She was a keen student with hopes to go to medical school when at the age of 18 she was severely injured in a bus accident. She endured 32 surgeries to try to recover and lessen the pain. Frida turned to art during her first hospital stay after the bus accident to pass her time and express herself. She even painted her many casts both when they were on her and when they were removed.
Frida married the legendary Mexican artist, Diego Rivera in 1929 and they had a tumultuous partnership. He was widely known for his fresco and mural work and they spent the early years of their marriage in the United States and Europe.
Frida’s work expresses the essence of her culture in the 1920’s with traditional colourful Mexican costumes – long skirts and dresses. She rejected conventional Western standards of beauty such as groomed eyebrows and groomed her unibrow and even mustache to make them darker. Her bright colors express a celebratory feel of Mexican folk art and her direct unwavering stare insinuates brashness and boldness.
Frida Kahlo loved pets which is evident in her self portraits with monkeys, birds, cats and other animals. Frida Kahlo died on July 13, 1954, soon after turning 47.
We were inspired by her work, Viva la Vida, which means “long live life” or “live life” and was painted in 1954. It is the last painting she created.
Frida Kahlo, Viva la Vida, 1954 – Public Domain – Wiki art.
Students did a wonderful job creating this delicious summer-time fruit even though some students said their favourite summer fruit was, strawberries, grapes and cherries…
Using a variety of multimedia including salt resist, scratch art, chalk pastels and acrylic paint students followed along to make their own creations.
Take a look at what we’ve been sent in so far…
I hope everyone has a chance to Viva La Vida today and enjoy the summer sunshine and some juicy watermelon!