Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Leonora Carrington

Frida Kahlo, Style Icon

Exploring the flattery, criticism, and contemporary interest in the life and art of O'Keeffe is the focus of this blog.  But I must confess that in this blog you will find occasional detours to/comments on other subjects particularly two other female artists, Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter) and Lenora Carrington (British born Mexican surrealist).  I have already digressed to talk about James Dean and you will probably eventually hear about trout-fishing, but for now . . .

I just can't help myself . . .if you have looked at my profile, you will remember that I am a self-described Mexicophile. Actually right now I am writing from Baja Sur and  just down the street is an amazing outdoor gallery of works by British-born Mexican surrealist, Leonara Carrington, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 94.  Like O'Keeffe, Carrington was her own person.  She said, "I didn't have time to be anyone's muse...I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist."

Lenora Carrington Gallery

  Puerto Los Cabos, 

San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico 2012

Lenora Carrington Sculpture, Puerto Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo

Carrington Outdoor Gallery, Puerto Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo 

Last year I visited many of the museums in Mexico City and years ago I visited Frida Kahlo's home in Couycan.  She has been one of my favorites.  Like O'Keeffe in the U.S., Frida Kahlo is an icon of Mexico.  A recent exhibit at the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City, refers to her as simply "Frida." just as Georgia O'Keeffe has become simply "O'Keeffe."

In an earlier blog, I referred to O'Keeffe as being a fashion icon, representative of what is called Tomboy style.  I have much to say about O'Keefe's influence on contemporary fashion, but there are parallels to Frida Kahlo's role in her country as well.  I found an interesting series of lectures offered at the  Museo Kahlo.  The image below is announcing conferences relating to the hairstyle and dress of Frida Kahlo.

The New York Times once said, "Georgia O'Keeffe is no longer an icon, O'Keeffe is an industry."  Looks like Frida has become an industry too."