Harry
and Diane are visiting the Drents Museum with their class to see the exhibition
about Frida Kahlo (1907-1954). The Mexican painter is known for the more than
fifty five intimate self-portraits she has made, portraits that give a glimpse
into her life. Frida grew into a free-spirited icon who fought for the rights
of women and the lgbtq community. Next week, Harry and Diane will get to work
on a self-portrait during the handcraft lesson.
Diane and Harry look at the many works of
Frida Kahlo. It is as if they are stepping into her life themselves. Frida's
life was not easy. She wanted to study to become a doctor, but a serious tram
accident on her eighteenth birthday put a stop to her ambitions. Frida had to
stay in bed for months to recover from the accident. Her parents hung a mirror
above her bed and put an easel next to her bed so Frida could draw herself.
Whenever Frida was having a difficult time, she would show her parents how far
she had come in her recovery process by painting herself. This period marked
the beginning of her painting career. From that moment on, Frida used painting
to express, process and represent emotional processes within herself.
"Look", Diane says to Harry,
"here Frida is wearing men's clothes. She has painted herself with short
hair and a light moustache. I think that's cool!" Harry and Diane often
have conversations about being a man and a woman. Diane doesn't really feel like
a man or a woman. She is, as they say, non-binary. Harry has been in love with
a man. He likes hanging out with Diane, because he feels that she really
understands him. Many boys in his class don't. They bully him and make nasty
remarks about him being gay. Secretly Harry is also a bit in love with Diane.
But Diane is not at all concerned with falling in love. So he keeps quiet about
it and just enjoys the time they have together.
