[HEROINES series]

February 2020

Acrylic on canvas

40H x 30 cm

KAHLODOSCOPE LOVE presents the dichotomy of Frida Kahlo’s world as a kaleidoscope, after her self-portrait ‘The Two Fridas’.

Diagnosed with polio as a child, one leg was thinner than the other and Frida suffered from spina bifida which she disguised with long skirts.

When a trolley accident changed her life forever, the medical student turned away from medicine and towards art. The accident broke her spinal column, collarbone, pelvis, ribs and fractured eleven places in her leg, crushed her foot and dislocated her shoulder. Her uterus was pierced by an iron handrail and was later removed. Her recovery was spent in a full body cast where she began to paint on an easel over her bed.
“I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best.” Frida painted more than 55 self-portraits where she painted her pain. She suffered from PTSD, bipolar disorder, marital rifts, miscarriages, alcoholism and depression and she attempted suicide several times. Her right leg was amputated at the knee due to gangrene.

Paradoxically, Frida filled her world with vibrant Mexican colour and pattern and she loved to drink, party hard and tell jokes. She was strong, courageous and vulnerable. When she died, cause of death unknown, her husband, Diego Rivera, wrote that it was the most tragic day of his life as he realised far too late how much he loved her.

Available to purchase

Exhibited at FRIDA, MREAM ArtsSpace, 32 Hampstead Road, Maidstone VIC 3012, 14 March – 5 April 2020

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[STAY GOLD series]

Acrylic on canvas (unframed)

50.5 x 50.5cm

February 2018

Heathcliff, it’s me, Coralie. Come home, I’m so cold. Let me in through your window. ~ Kate Bush

So, millenials, before Lorde there was Kate Bush. Things I have in common with this babooshka: born in Kent, went to school in Ashford, lived in Eltham (London, Straya… whatevs), read Wuthering Heights, and became the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song, aged just 19. Last one just Kate actually. Also technically 1978.

The woman with burning sunset eyes is called Coralie. At first I thought Coral because it sounds a bit Eighties, but I think she’s on a French beach in the Med so… you know. Then I googled it: “Coralie” is a popular 19th century jewel baby name from the name of the pink semi-precious sea growth used to make jewellery and ornaments. Cha-ching! We’re on the same page.

INSTANT ORANGE CRUSH is inspired by sun worship, the beach sunsets of oversized 1980s wallpaper posters and the overblown pop love songs by empowered diva heroines of the same decade. It explores the nostalgia we feel for past loves through rose tinted sunglasses and questions the idea that nothing gold can stay.

This painting has been powered by Whitney, Tina, Annie, Madonna and Kate.

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HEROINES series (2016)

Doe eyes, big eyebrows, no hair – unconventional beauty but beauty all the same. I wish I had her balls… Nothing compares to you, ballsy Sinead O’Connor.

A Prince tribute

23 April 2016

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HEROINES series (2016)

My favourite 19th century smart mouth – Elizabeth (Lizzy) Bennet (Jennifer Ehle).

29 March 2016

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HEROINES series (2016)

The one and only Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery). I still can’t decide between jazz and disco – I am reincarnated from one for sure.

24 March 2016

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