When I was seventeen, I was informed that I would be crippled and then die if I didn’t have risky surgery. I hadn’t had time to digest this information when I came across the extraordinary visage of Frida, gazing at me from the newspaper. I cut out the story, continually gazing at her face. ‘The Broken Column’ spoke of my own wounds. I couldn’t believe that a woman from another era had captured my experience. She was a storyteller of the highest order, unafraid of revealing her pain. She touched death with each stroke of her brush. All the things we commonly run from, she embraced. I had found my heroine.
When I heard that Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s work was coming to the Art Gallery of NSW, I could hardly breathe. I had waited twenty years for this moment. I took my daughter, and she was as entranced as I. She knew how much Frida has meant to her mum! We stood in silence at each painting, holding hands. 
Frida inspired me to paint my body cast. Rather than viewing it with disdain, my former cocoon was kept out of respect.
Frida was unafraid of confronting what would ordinarily remain hidden. She paved the way for a legion of young women. I remain in her debt.
This is so so inspirational! Frida is one of my inspirations too and you’re so so lucky to have been able to see her paintings! ahh x
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Frida inspires me too. How exciting to have seen her paintings 🙂
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I watched the movie Frida starring Salma Hayek and was left feeling extremely moved and inspired. She truly was a remarkable woman to convert her pain into art. Thank you for sharing!
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I loved that movie too.
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What a fabulous and inspirational post Raphaela. I read a lot about Frida, and saw the movie about hers and Diego’s life. What an amazing woman she was, and how lucky are you to be able to see her art! ❤
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Wasn’t it a great movie!
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Yes! I saw it twice, and would watch it again. 🙂
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A favorite artist…thanks for sharing 🙂
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Jessica and I will be going there on 3rd August with our Oil Painting Class from Little Bat Senior’s Centre.
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You will love it!
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Yes, we are looking forward to it – we have been doing workshops on her work and will be displaying them in our Gallery in September
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Let me know details! How wonderful!
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Yes, shall do
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How wonderful it must have been to see works from someone you admire! I’m happy for you! And your daughter! Be well! Koko:)
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