Frida Kahlo at SFMOMA

This past weekend I finally made it over to the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the SFMOMA. Expecting to see the collection of self-portraits which widely characterize her work, I was pleasantly surprised to find an exhibit full of expressive, surrealist paintings as well as a large collection of her personal photographs. The exhibit does an excellent job of showcasing the progression of her work throughout her life. Likewise, the collection honestly depicts the strong and passionate woman that she was and that gave her the motivation to create such powerful pieces. Influenced by her Mexican heritage, Kahlo used bold, vibrant colors in stark contrast to the dark and painful narratives. Having lead a tumultuous life full of heart-ache, and severe physical ailments, Kahlo was able to express herself through her work. As a result, Kahlo has become one of the most influential female artists of her time. Perhaps my favorite part of the exhibit was the collection of personal photographs. This photo (shown below) shows Kahlo with her family when she was only 16 in a time when this sort of behavior was far from acceptable. Most surprising of all, she is wearing her father's suit; Proving that even at a young age, Frida Kahlo defied convention and had the confidence and strong will to make a lasting impact on the world. ••••