Study of Kahlo and Rivera

During my exploration, I came across Diego Rivera’s painting titled “Alarm Clock,” which encompassed a combination of his collected inspirations, admiration, and accumulated knowledge over the years. Within Rivera’s painting, the alarm clock held a symbolic representation of time and the process of aging. Similarly, Frida Kahlo, Rivera’s wife, also delved into still-life paintings that grappled with weighty subjects such as politics, death, and her personal disabilities. From my own experiences, I found a sense of resonance with the pain she expressed, particularly in the aftermath of my recent divorce.

In Kahlo’s later years, she painted a still-life that depicted a cheerful and inviting sun (representing life) on the left side of the composition, juxtaposed with a somber and isolated moon (symbolizing death) on the right side. In my art series, I aimed to blend the ideas, techniques, and styles of both Rivera and Kahlo into a single artwork. The context of this arrangement revolves around the notion of the flow of change throughout time. I incorporated a separate window in the middle of my version, positioned between the sun and moon, to symbolize the space for embracing the influx of change and the adaptability required to live a fulfilling life. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder that change is inherently tied to relinquishing control and embracing the intentional act of letting go.