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Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait with Cropped Hair​, 1940
Historical Background:
Frida painted this as a response to her divorce from painter Diego Rivera, who had multiple affairs including one with Frida's own sister. Just after their divorce she cropped her hair short, as depicted, in an attempt to distance herself from her life with Rivera.
Representation of Gender Role:
The words at the top say, "If I loved you, it was because of your hair. Now that you have short hair, I do not love you anymore." This painting is a declaration of Frida's independence both from her marriage and from the gender role she was supposed to conform to. With short hair and men's clothing, she is establishing her equality and her disreagard for anyone who may tell her differently.
RESEARCH
Regan, Self Portrait with the Ugly Truth, 2015
I wanted to play off of Frida Kahlo's message in Self Portrait with Cropped Hair and address what I feel like is my "short hair" in this generation as a woman.
Ever since I became aware of the gender inequality that exists on some level in parts of our society, I also became aware of a huge push back against people who wanted to talk about it and make changes.
I've been told countless times that being a feminist is unattractive, and that if I want guys to like me I should keep my opinions to myself. For some men and even other women, a woman with an opinion who isn't afraid to talk about it is annoying or even threatening. I know that this is not the case with many people, but it is the case with some. With this piece of art I wanted to communicate that sentiment and also embrace the fact that I, like Frida, am going to continue to stand up for what's right regardless of how "manly" it may seem. To me, being feminine has as much to do with being brave and smart and hardworking as it does with being gentle and kind and pretty.
INDIVIDUAL ART MAKING
Editing this painting gave me a chance to think about the things that I believe in and support, as I chose what to put on the signs and the banner above. I also wanted to make the banner and the walls more traditionally feminine colors, to make the signs and Frida stand out more and look darker and more real, juxtaposing reality with ideal. I know that feminism, like many current events, hasn't always gotten the best reputation thanks to certain people whose ideas are a bit more extreme than normal, and I wanted to use the signs to show some of the things that feminsm represents to me, so others can get a better idea of what I stand for.
REFLECT ON THE PROJECT
Regan