Tuesday, July 07, 2009

More on The Wounded Deer & Frida Kahlo's Art

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:

Michelle said...

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

Jo said...

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.....

Pascale Petit said...

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

Group 8 said...

I love Frida! I have 2 poems about her in my last collection. Nice post, B.

Unknown said...

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 :)

Colin Will said...

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.