Enamored with Frida Kahlo

I had seen Frida Kahlo's work in very small doses several times before, but tonight was the first time that I viewed a more substantial amount in one sitting. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is hosting several of Frida Kahlo's paintings plus a number of personal photographs as one of its special exhibitions until May 18. As I entered the first crowded gallery room and donned the headphones for the audio narration, I thought to myself, "I look forward to this." Upon exiting, I thought, "This woman is amazing." I felt somewhat stunned and couldn't help replaying what I had seen in my head, simply staring off into space. (I think having her life story narrated at the same time as I viewed the paintings had a lot to do with that.) Her paintings are simple, yet powerful; straightforward, yet complex; autobiographical, yet applicable to so many different people, circumstances, and experiences. She was direct, she was honest, she expressed exactly what was on her mind - with no innuendos or hesitation. How often do we do that? How often do we express exactly what our fears and hopes are? It seems that we spend a great deal of our lives trying to hide our vulnerabilities. To me, Frida Kahlo embodies strength, but not only in the traditional way. She wasn't afraid to reveal her weaknesses (at least in her paintings) and, to me, that takes real strength.