Celebrating Frida Kahlo

Revolutionary Hispanic Artist Frida Kahlo

Considered one of Mexico's greatest artists, Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyocoan, Mexico City, Mexico. She grew up in the family's home which was later referred to as the Blue House or Casa Azul. Her father is a German descendant and photographer. He immigrated to Mexico where he met and married her mother Matilde. Her mother is half Amerindian and half Spanish. Frida Kahlo has two older sisters and one younger sister.

Frida Kahlo had poor health in her childhood. She contracted polio at the age of 6 and had to be bedridden for nine months. This disease caused her right leg and foot to grow much thinner than her left one. She limped after she recovered from polio. She wore long skirts to cover that for the rest of her life. Her father encouraged her to do lots of sports to help her recover. She played soccer, went swimming, and even did wrestling, which was very unusual at that time for a girl. She kept a very close relationship with her father for her whole life. Frida attended the renowned National Preparatory School in Mexico City in 1922. There were only 35 female students enrolled in the school and she soon became notorious for her outspokenness and bravery. While in attendance at the preparatory school, she first met her future husband, the famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera for the first time. Kahlo reconnected with Rivera in 1928. She asked him to evaluate her work and he encouraged her. The two soon started their romantic relationship. Despite her mother's objection, Frida and Diego Rivera got married the next year. During their earlier years as a married couple, Frida had to move a lot based on Diego's work. In 1930, they lived in San Francisco, California. Then they moved to New York City for Rivera's artwork show at the Museum of Modern Art. They later moved to Detroit while Diego Rivera worked for the Detroit Institute of Arts .

“An artist who epitomizes an individual’s triumphant spirit to overcome challenges through creativity is Frida Kahlo. One of the most respected female artists. Frida’s art has been praised for its originality and its surreal, dreamlike, and fantastical quality.

Frida Kahlo taught herself to paint. Through her art, she reflected and transcended her suffering and loss. In her highly personalized style, she exposed intimate aspects of herself. Her paintings were a type of catharsis, releasing sorrow and pain associated with her physical trauma.

In many of her self-portraits, Kahlo is surrounded by symbols that represent superstitions and folklore. The surrealist usage of masks and costumes is part of everyday rituals in Mexico, and death in the realm of the sacred also worked as a resource to address the matter of identity and gender. In some of her self-portraits, Frida Kahlo painted herself wearing ornaments and accessories that identify with the pre-Hispanic past and the indigenous cultures of Mexico. These paintings evoke powerful women such as goddesses or tehuanas, appropriating the identities of these Amazon matriarchs.” - Renee Philips

We value our Hispanic/Latinx customers and want to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with special incentives and events at our dealership. We also want you to get involved! Find us on our social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website, and share how you or someone you know is celebrating NHHM.

Bellevue Nissan values our Hispanic/Latinx customer base. We are excited to spread awareness of culture and Latino business during Hispanic Heritage Month. We want to hear from you! Share and spread awareness this month by visiting our website or social media accounts. We also have special events and promotions to honor our Latinx community at our dealership and online.