Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

In Our Time

Discussion & Talk

Podcasts

Factual: History

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Melvyn Bragg

Patience Schell

Valerie Fraser

Alan Knight

Simon Tillotson

In Our Time: Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo

09/07/2015

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Frida Kahlo

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Frida Kahlo.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work, life and times of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Born near Mexico City in 1907, Frida Kahlo is considered one of Mexico's greatest artists. She took up painting after a bus accident left her severely injured, was a Communist, married Diego Rivera, a celebrated muralist, became friends with Trotsky and developed an iconic series of self-portraits. Her work brings together elements such as surrealism, pop culture, Aztec and Indian mythology and commentary on Mexican culture. In 1938, artist and poet Andre Breton organised an exhibition of her work in New York, writing in the catalogue, "The Art of Frida Kahlo is a ribbon around a bomb." She was not as widely appreciated during her lifetime as she has since become, but is now one of the most recognised artists of the 20th century. 

With

Patience Schell
Chair in Hispanic Studies at the University of Aberdeen

Valerie Fraser
Emeritus Professor of Latin American Art at the University of Essex

And

Alan Knight
Emeritus Professor of the History of Latin America at the University of Oxford

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

In Our Time

Frida Kahlo

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4