Why Is Frida Kahlo A Modern Day Icon For Young Feminists?

[spathiphyllum]

i never heard of her in school. Whi is Frida Kahlo so iconic?

[dannyk13]

Explained here //Kahlo was mainly known as Rivera's wife until the late 1970s, when her work was rediscovered by art historians and political activists. By the early 1990s, she had become not only a recognized figure in art history, but also regarded as an icon for Chicanos, the feminism movement and the LGBTQ movement//

[jno]

not really modern day, she was born more than a century ago, and died more than 60 years ago. A classic case, though, of a woman whose work received less attention than her husband's for no obvious reason except gender. I'm not saying he wasn't good, he was; and it's also notable that he specialised in public art, murals and so on, which she didn't, so he would inevitably be more widely known. But the quality of her art was underrated for a long time.

A bit like Augustus John and his sister Gwen in Britain.

[spathiphyllum]

well people (girls) my age are getting her tattoo'd on their legs with the monobrow and hair style as the key characteristic. I've no clue why.

[dannyk13]

jno, it was in the 1990's that she became an icon which is comparatively modern.

[spathiphyllum]

So she's a symbol for the suppressed / undiscovered talent of the minorities out there?

[dannyk13]

Spath, she is a symbol for feminism and LGBTQ.

[woofgang]

I agree about her being undervalued and so on, but I think that part of it is the identifiable and attractive image.

[spathiphyllum]

Ahh OK. Interesting. That may be why i've not come across her work or her in my schoolings.

[spathiphyllum]

Woof, which would actually go against she apparently represents

[spathiphyllum]

symbolising her is literally the opposite of what she'd want, surely?

[Mamyalynne]

It may be a good idea to strike up a conversation about her with these young people and see if they know why they look to her in this way, or is it simply a trend they are following.

[pastafreak]

I agree with mamya. Do they know who she is...or are they just attracted by the eyebrows?

[woofgang]

Why would that go against what she symbolises Spath? Surely no one wants to get a tatt of some anonymous person?

[jno]

I suppose so, dannyk, I'd heard of her back about 1980 when I visited Mexico; but it was her husband's work that was easy to see then, not hers.

There was an exhibition about her at the V&A (ended last week), which no doubt helped tell people about her.

[spathiphyllum]

Mamy, god forbid you question or 'challenge' anyone on their knowledge or reasoning's in this day and age.. ;) ;)

and woof it seems she was against icons and norms, so to become one would surely be backwards?

[Baldric]

That's neat, matching eyebrows and moustache ;o)

https://www.frida-kahlo-foundation.org/thumbnail/72000/72093/mini_normal/Self-Portrait-With-Necklace.jpg?ts=1459229076

[pastafreak]

Several of her works are at MOMA in NYC...so I'd seen them back in the late '60s when I was....young ;-)

[pastafreak]

jno, I think that exhibit is headed to NY...the Brooklyn Museum specifically.

[Mamyalynne]

I didn't say 'question or challenge' , I said strike up a conversation.

Is that not done anymore ?

[spathiphyllum]

People usually get quite defensive. Maybe it's my approach, but i like to question things, not negatively, but how can you help understand issues like LGBT, Feminism and Frida Kahlo if you don't question them?

People moan because "no one understands" yet no one tries to help others understand