Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo’s Struggle with Illness

The article Creativity and Mental Illness examines mood disorders as they relate to artistic pursuits. One of the artists explored is Frida Kahlo, her life was dynamic, troubled and riddled with both medical and psychological disorders. Through her struggles she was still able to produce some of the most prolific and famous works of art for her time. Here we will dig deeper into her life and illnesses.
Kahlo’s physical struggles began before she was born. Diagnosed with Spina Bifida, a condition where the spinal column and backbone do not fuse before birth, she was destined to experience symptoms throughout her life. She constantly experienced spine and leg pain, which today is linked to this condition.
At age 6 Kahlo was diagnosed with Polio. She suffered a life long deformity to her right leg and foot, which were already effected by Spina Bifida. She developed topical ulcers that she struggled with throughout life.
The book, Song of Her Self, expresses that during this time she found comfort from the gained attention from her parents. Up until this point she often felt neglected and ignored by her mother.

Henry Ford Hospital, 1932 (Frida Kahlo)
This painting depicts the struggles Kahlo faced after miscarrying a child.
At age 18 Kahlo was in a bus accident. Not only did this accident prevent her from carrying children, but it also broke her right leg and foot, adding complexities to the already weekend extremities. She remained on bed rest for three months before being told that she had made a full recovery.
It was at this time that Kahlo began to paint. Her father gifted her his paints and encouraged her artistic pursuits. It was around this time that Kahlo also met her future husband, artist, Diego Rivera.

The Broken Column, 1944 (Frida Kahlo)
© 2007 Banco de México Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust. Av. Cinco de Mayo No. 2, Col. Centro, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06059, México D.F.
They shared similar communist political views and a passion for artistic expression, but their relationship was not simple. Kahlo was insecure, depressive and suffered from what are today classified as narcissistic behavior. Rivera was unfaithful and often pushed Kahlo to points of mad jealousy and hysterics.
Their relationship, her mental illness, and the terrifying circumstances of physical conditions fueled her creativity, and helped produce some of the most recognizable artwork to come from Mexico. Her story, while extreme helps to exemplify how illness, both physical and mental, can inspire an artist.


http://www.thoughtplusaction.com/2012/03/frida-kahlos-struggle-with-illness/