A central image in my Web of Life papercutting is that of Frida Kahlo’s eyes, or more recognizably, her eyebrows. Frida’s popularity seems to grow exponentially as time goes on. Her life and her art have meaning for many of us.
For me, she is a source of deep support within my web because she embodies one simple word that I carry into my art as well as my day-to-day life. Honesty.
Art was a means of honest, self exploration for Frida. “I paint my own reality.” She painted herself over and over again…self portraits as well as images of her own experiences and inner world because, as she said, “I am the person I know best.”
She did not censor what images came forward, what she created, or what she presented to the world. “The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.” As a result, her body of work is often bold and daring. It speaks openly to the world telling us who she is with no apology or veiling.
Since that honest, self-explorative approach is prevalent in my own creativity, Frida’s bold and honest gaze found their way from the Web of Life onto this retablo.
Collage - mixed-media including Tyvek papercut, acrylic, Solarplate print, paper, beading and found objects on upcycled cupboard door.
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