Country-Artist Challenge

Inspiration:  Creating a composition in the style of an Artist I admire from Mexico.

Im sure you all have already guessed who I have chosen for my country’s artist challenge. The Mexican painter I have chosen is of course, Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954). She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico as well as European influences that include Realism, Symbolism and Surrealism. Many of her works are self portraits that symbolically express her own pain and sexuality.

In my composition, I have chosen to use symbolism from two of Frida Kahlo paintings, “Tree of Hope, Remain Strong” 1946 and “My Dress Hangs There” 1933.   I designed the gloomy sky, the sun and moon divided the background into two halves of light and dark.  The barren landscape behind has fissures which is a metaphor of the wounds on her back.  And instead of her dress hanging there empty and alone with the chaos in the background in the second painting, I chose to depict a more uplifting message.  I chose an indigenous woman and her baby representing the generations of women who have gone before them who have lived on this type of land and have managed to create a meaningful life, making and selling these beautiful, cultural, handmade dresses.  The baby helps release the Huipil dresses as they are completed and they watch them float away into the sky together with hope and faith for a better future.

Materials:  hand dyed, commercial and indigenous fabrics, tulle, ínstense pencils, acrylic paint, ribbon accents and recycled organza ribbon binding, free motion quilting, raw edge and fusible appliqué, So Fine thread.

Detail view:

Original artworks:

“Tree of Hope, Remain Strong” 1946

‘My Dress Hangs Here”  1933