My recent trip to Mexico with my family caused me to further reflect on my experiences there. We made the drive across the border a couple weeks ago to celebrate my Mom's birthday in Valle de Guadalupe. I have never been to Napa Valley, nor any wine country of that sort, but Baja California's beauty and rich cultural atmosphere struck me. What stunned me most, though, was the vibrant artwork and abstract designs at Casa Frida–– a winery, restaurant, and rental property located in the Valley of Guadalupe.
The popular tourist destination was inspired by one of Mexico's greatest artists, Frida Kahlo. At the age of five, she contracted polio and the disease crippled her right leg. Later in life, she miraculously survived a tragic car accident that impaired her severely and left her several months in recovery. With time to kill, Frida began painting self-portraits because she was often alone and knew no other subject better than herself. A special easel was made so she could paint in bed. Frida channeled her chronic pain and deepest emotions through her artwork. She documented the stages of her life –– from her intense romantic relationships, her scarring miscarriage, and her heartbreak amidst her husband's infidelity.
In learning more about Frida, I wondered how many artists have suffered through their life's work. It was not until after Frida's death did she grow in fame and become globally admired. Hayden Herrera's book, A Biography of Frida Kahlo, drew more attention to her personal traumas and hardships following her death in 1954. Although its known that she died of pulmonary embolism, there is speculation that suicide was a probable cause.
To me, Frida's vibrant and stoic self-portraits hide her intimate experiences and lifelong suffering. It wasn't until I did research of my own did I learn about Frida's extraordinary life story. This begs the question, does the beauty of art have to come at the expense of one's pain and suffering?
Some of the most world renowned artists ––including Van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, and Kurt Cobain–– have endured the most torturous lives. It seems as though the most successful and inspirational works of art tell a story of suffering. Maybe this is because it's easier to relate to people's struggles than their successes. Maybe it's because people want to connect on the most basic human level, and know that they aren't alone in their pain.
On the flip side, it might be because our darkest inner demons can inspire the most authentic forms of hope and happiness. I think the answer stems from the fact that great artists such as Frida Kahlo live through long states of depression and pain, and became great in spite of it.
"I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you.” - Frida Kahlo
It is commonly believed that pain, sadness, and despair feelings inspire artistic creation much more than happiness and success. I used to believe that too, but my conception has changed two years after I started film school. If all artists depend on having a miscarriage, a bad breakup or a car accident like Kahlo to produce quality work, they will starve. Take actors, when the script says they cry at this moment, if they cannot deliver because they are not having a hard time in life, soon they will be replaced and be out of work. Learning the craft is learning to rationalize it through practice using tools and techniques to connect oneself to the piece they are creating. Some…
You pose a very nuanced question in this post. So many artists work from a place of pain and use their creativity as an outlet. Growing up, I always did musical theater, and being on stage and immersing myself in the context of the production allowed me to escape from any issues I was experiencing in my own life. I do not necessarily think that I was a better performer than somebody who was not having the same battles outside of rehearsal, but I do think that the arts are a safe space for expression. Having this space for creativity saves lives. So, I do not think that suffering gives an artist a leg up. However, I do think that…
All artists have strengths and weaknesses, and some artist’s strength is in creating directly from their pain. Although, it’s widely taught that relying on this method will lead to inconsistent results and frustration, and instead artists should cultivate a healthy relationship with their unconscious through consistent practice, so that they can make work they’re proud of even when blissfully stable. I don’t think that artists experience emotion or suffering differently from everyone else, but they do have technical skills and tools that allow them to express ideas in creative mediums. Frida is exceptional on all these accounts and I highly admire the way she channeled her energy towards healing.