From a disabilities perspective, Frida Kahlo had multiple obstacles to overcome; a birth defect, a disability from a contracted disease, a debilitating accident, an amputation and constant pain shaped her life. She created objects of art that showcased her pain, love and all of her strengths and faults intertwined. Her art catapults her, and her audience, out of reality and into the fantastic world of a magical realist; a world where prosthetics announce themselves with jingle bells and casts are a thing of beauty meant to be noticed, remarked upon and revered. This is not the world of the disenfranchised -- this is the world of a goddess whose entire being is a work of art. Her work explores the medical interventions that shaped her life weaving the horrific things her body endured into the strength she found within herself and gained from others.

I claim no ownership of the pieces reference in this article. If you are interested in learning more, I suggest you read this Guardian article about the exhibit that showcases Ishiuchi Miyako's photos on display at the Michael Hoppen Gallery. There are several websites dedicated to the exploration of Frida Kahlo's work. I drew, extensively, from information and works on FridaKahlo.org and The Frida Kahlo Foundation in this piece.

The New York Times attests Frida Kahlo's work is experiencing a mini-resurgence because of numerous shows happening this spring. An essay published in the New York Times on May 10 titled Frida Kahlo is Having a Moment closes with the following,