module 1 LISTENING AN INTERVIEW WITH FRIDA KAHLO (1907-1954) Linked to art movements such as Surrealism, Primitivism and Magical Realism, Frida Kahlo s work emerges primarily from both the events of her life and her Mexican heritage. Frida married the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera, who had a great influence on her painting style. 1 Listen to this interview with Frida Kahlo and write the questions that you hear from the interviewer. COMMUNICATION a. ? In 1925 a bus accident left me semi-invalid. I had to stay at the Red Cross Hospital for weeks and then stay on bed rest at home. I began to paint during my recovery because I was immobilized and it was all I could really do. I painted my first self-portrait for the boyfriend of the time who was on the bus with me, but he was soon tired of my illness and moved on from me. b. ? Oh, God no. At the age of six, I contracted polio. I tried to hide my deformed leg by wrapping it in bandages. This led to further complications later in life such as spinal malformation. c. ? One of my most famous works, Broken Column, represents the spinal malformation I was left with as a result of the polio. d. ? The pain the pain of heartbreak, the pain of sickness. I take this pain, I express this pain, and I change it into something positive and beautiful. In these paintings, I m free of my suffering. I try to represent myself much like an animal. Animals can only be true to who they are. That s why I so often paint them. e. ? We married on August 21st, 1929. He encouraged me to continue painting and he introduced me to people who played a vital role in making my work known and appreciated. Although we have an affectionate relationship, we both have had many secret affairs. Our marriage has been tumultuous and painful. f. As a half-Jewish, Mexican, Communist woman, I feel a strong sense of support for all these groups. Many people find it easy to identify with some part of me. I am brave and I am a fighter for what I believe in. While I am all of these things, none of them exclusively defines me. I will, however, fight for the rights of these people always. I will fight for the rights of all forever. GLOSSARY bed rest: a medical treatment in which a person lies in bed to gain health benefits heartbreak: a strong feeling of sadness to wrap: to cover or enclose something with paper, cloth or other material Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940, Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin, USA. 108