Author/Audience writing assignment 09.02.22

The Broken Column 1944 OIL on canvas 30.6x29.8cm Frida Kahlo

I remember looking at Frida Kahlo's work when I was writing my BA dissertation which was about how the brain changes to internal and external stimuli, especially that of psychodynamic art therapy. Mainly because I was interested in artists that had suffered from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression but also those artists that were using their sufferings in life to express through their art. Frida Kahlo has certainly had her fair share of suffering and through more in depth research after receiving this writing assignment I began to paint a picture of her life in my mind and it made me consider what Frida would be thinking about her life if she were still alive, or indeed if there is a afterlife of some description, from there. I decided to have a bit of fun as Mark suggests and started of with the idea of a police whiteboard "who done it?" theme, and then moved more towards a mood board that Frida could have created herself.

I combined the artists biography with a fictitious autobiography, the private life of the maker, the artists intention, and my own perceptions all from a autobiographical association point of view.

The text only version in case its hard to read:

The Broken Column 1944 OIL on canvas 30.6x29.8cm Frida Kahlo

Who Caused my Accident life?

Alejandro Gomez Arias was my first love. Before my eternal pains caused my mind to become so surreal, before my infidelities, my marriages with DIego, there was true love that I caught on canvas which was only to be half hidden in his wardrobe for too many years. My first self portrait, my half, with my wine coloured velvet dress with regal gold brocade, reminiscent of the late Renaissance portraits, reveals my sentient being feeling sadness as I am not with you Alejandro. Although I am asleep, I remember you always. “My Alex: since I saw you I have loved you… I would like to be… a little tiny thing that you could just carry in your pocket.

My parents were not happy, there was political unrest and even through our separations my heart was still yours. If only I had not lost my umbrella, we would have stayed on the first bus. The second bus was to change my life but you, you were unscathed with your minor injuries. I took the pain away from you with my fractured pelvic bone, my punctured abdomen and uterus. My spine broke in 3 places, my right leg in 11 places. My shoulder was dislocated and later they find 3 more vertebrae are broken too. But more than this, you broke my heart but I still love you.

During my long recovery, I took up painting. I am considered one of Mexico’s greatest artists. My Father, a photographer from Germany was always encouraging, as was my half native American, half Spanish Mother. Not only did they help me through my early years of poor health and polio with love and support but they encouraged me to play sport to help build strength and later to paint to build strength mentally as well as physically. They made me a special easel with brushes so I could paint from bed. Originally I wanted to combine my love of medicine and sketching to become a medical illustrator, how ironic that I become an illustrator of my own medical demeanours. My body in cast for several months, a mirror above my bed, my first real subject, deeply introspective within my own reflection.

At School, I told my friends I would marry you one day Diego Rivera. Your Mural called “The Creation” inspired me. Although this meeting was brief, my belief of marriage became true years later. Again my Mother objected. I tried to have your children but my body would not allow. Pain from my injuries has plagued me my whole life. My snail like ability to move toward fertility. All I see is my broken body, what kind of Mother would that be? Instead I am unable to hold myself together, all I see is my leather and metal brace holding my split chest together. Is my life just one big accident?

I am standing in a surreal landscape, I am half naked, I am in pain, but I am beautiful and I endure and can be strong again.

“Painting completed my life. I lost three children and a series of other things that would have fulfilled my horrible life. My painting took the place of all of this. I think work is the best” Frida Kahlo

Ishiuchi Miyako, you are a powerful female artist documenting another. You come into my life when I am gone, away from your usual artistic habitat and you allow the world to experience me as a new, intimate and tender woman. As your minds eye journeys through my personal belongings you find unfound strength from objects I have used to depict longstanding pain. I hear you say, “If I met her, I wouldn’t ask any questions. I would only want to stare at her and touch her body.” Well you have touched me and I am touched.