The Frida Kahlo Story: Joy, Pain, Colour and Courage

This animation, telling the life of artist Frida Kahlo, was created by Tate Kids for young viewers, but I love the way that it gets the story across without patronage – so making it ideal for viewers of all ages. Born in 1907, Frida Kahlo collected plants while her father painted.  Her mother taught her about Mexican indigenous culture.  When she was six, she contracted polio and although she recovered, her classmates teased her because she had one leg longer than another.  Her solution was to invent an imaginary friend and, encouraged by her father, she took on several sports to help in her recovery from the disease.

She got into one of the best schools in Mexico.  However, something terrible happened when she was 18 – resulting in a fractured spine and a plaster cast.  Learn more about Frida’s recovery and how her art developed because of the accident.  Kahlo would have over 30 operations over the course of her life, but painting stayed with her throughout.  Out of every evil some great good must come and we have her art forever – Frida continues to inspire artist and art lovers to this day.  Watch this rather lovely video below.