I pulled down a book I had forgotten I had at the weekend, it's a bio-art book on Frida Kahlo's work, and I read it very quickly, and had a good stare at all the pictures in it and a read of the details of her life. Dear me, but she had a tough life, physically-wise, but she never let it get her down, and in her 47 years on earth managed to produce some amazing art.
Then I read 'The Wounded Deer' again, and I really feel that Petit has gotten Kahlo's voice, or as close as you could dare without the services of a medium. My absolute favourite poem in this pamphlet is based on, and is also titled, 'My Birth,' which you can view here . Don't let the picture put you off in any way, the poem is the most positive thing I've ever read, a real making of good, life-affirming art from -well, good life-affirming art. Art was what kept Kahlo sane and allowed her a true expression of her soul.
Another favourite line comes from 'The Wounded Deer,' also available to view here. 'And once, when I opened my eyes / too quickly after the graft, / I could see right through / all the glass ceilings...' Love that glass ceiling - class.
Pascale has two poems up on her blog today to celebrate Frida's birthday, one just happening to be, yes you've guessed it - 'The Wounded Deer'. She's also reading down in Bantry (thanks Liz) at the West Cork Literary Festival, Ireland on Thursday morning at 11am in Bantry Bookshop. I can't go (sob, sob), so I shall just have to make do with me imagination... ah well!
6 comments:
I've had Hayden Herrera's biography, Frida, in my reading pile for the last six months. Sounds like I need to move it to the top of the pile and get on with it.
Here's one of my favourite paintings:
http://arthistory.about.com/b/2009/02/11/wordless-wednesday-volume-27-the-love-embrace-of-the-universe.htm
Those lsat two lines are to die for. I saw her exhibition at the Tate Modern about four years ago.......fabulous, I must get hold of the poems. And I laughed so much at your comment over at my place.....
Hi Barbara, thanks for posting this and for the support.
Michelle, do read HH's biography it's excellent. I've written a poem about the Love Embrace of the Universe and it's just been published online on a US mag Cutthroat, don't know if this link will work but will try:
http://www.cutthroatmag.com/ in the latest issue but you have the poem anyway. Pxx
I love Frida! I have 2 poems about her in my last collection. Nice post, B.
Another book I'll have to get! Jo, you lucky duck getting to see her work. I checked to see where it is, it's on tour in the states, but who knows...
Pascale, no problem, thinking of you this morning in West Cork - hope you're enjoying it!
N, something else we have in common and congrats on the poem in Southword - it looks even better now in print :)
She was a unique and amazing woman, and I've long admired her paintings, althgough I've so far only seen them in books. And Pascale's a terrific reader - I met her at StAnza a couple of years ago.
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