There are few people in the art world who wouldnt have heard about Friedo Kahlo. Born as Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderó, she was known for her ratehr individualistic art that oozed passion. Her reality that was surreal to other people was the main focus of her art, which she used as a medium to express her pain. At the April Monthly Challenge of Art Bead Scene, The chosen inspiration is a self portrait by Frieda Kahlo and here is my design – the Kahlo Necklace based on the portrait.
This post will be slightly different from the vernacular posts that you usually see on my blog as I wanted to do a standard design school break up of the inspiration into mood, theme, concept, color and client in points, somewhat like a story-boarding or concept list that is used to write concept notes.. Call it an occupational hazard of urging students to do the same week after week 😀
Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
Analysis of the Painting:
As someone who has been in lot of physical pain in my life, I could relate to the painting and probably Frieda’s mood while creating it. I tend to craft, paint or design a lot when I am unwell as it helps me takes my mind of pain. The process of creating beauty while ignoring the constant torture that is going on in your mind and/or body is an unique feeling and in my opinion, this is what the portrait conveys.
Design school grads are generally taught to overlook color as the main interpretation from any inspiration. But in this particular picture, I couldnt see much beyond color at the start. The yellows and the green jumped out at me, followed by black from the fur of the animals. I dint even notice the dragonflies until I read a description of it on Karin’s Blog.
My Takeaways:
Mood – A juxtaposition of agony and joy of creating beauty
Colors – Yellow, green and black – Its an Analogous color scheme with a sharp black contrast.
Forms – Leaves, Bondage, glowing eyes
Details – Sharp pointy ends, vein detailing
Imagery – Bold, strong and composed
Materials – Metal sheet, chain, beads and suede cord
Client – A free spirited, optimistic and strong woman who looks for sunshine in the darkest of alleys
My interpretation: Kahlo Necklace
I made a necklace of dark brass chains (almost black in color) along with Lava bead and glass beads with a pyrite finish. Instead of an ‘art bead’ I choose to make my own art component using brass metal sheet and resin. I once again tried the marbling technique that I have used in these resin earrings but after pouring patina inks on to the metal I swirled (marbled) them out so that they look like veins. Also the thorns looked (felt) like chains to me – maybe symbolic of the bondage pain is and how it severely restricts ones quality of life, so I used these in my work. The necklace is finished with a knotted sued cord and can be worn short or long.
Cheers
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