As I reflect on the profound impact Frida Kahlo has had on my life, her unwavering spirit of resilience and her commitment to her passion and art resonates deeply with me. Amid the ongoing turmoil in Gaza, I find solace in channeling Kahlo's spirit of solidarity and empathy towards those facing adversity, especially the people, women, and children of Gaza.
Frida Alejandra Torres-Ruiz
Creative Director &Photographer Elias Feghaly
Assistant Director Ziad Feghaly
Make-up Artist Silvie Feghaly
Dress The Nitty Gritty
Styling and Jewelry Elias and Silvie
Kahlo's artistry transcended beautiful selfie aesthetics; it reflected her innermost thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Her iconic self-portraits, rich with symbolism and raw emotion, serve as a timeless reminder of the human condition and the universal struggle for dignity, freedom, and the embrace of oneself.
My friend Alejandra and I created an image inspired by Kahlo's iconic style to express our solidarity with Palestine. In the photograph, Alejandra embodies the spirit of Frida Kahlo, holding a watermelon—a symbol of the Palestinian flag—in her hands. Through this image, we seek to convey our unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their resilience in the face of extreme adversity. The colors of the watermelon black, red, green, and white represent the colors of the Palestinian flag.
In tribute to Kahlo's legacy and solidarity with the people of Palestine enduring unimaginable hardships, I find inspiration in her art and philosophy. As I reflect on the current situation in Gaza, I am reminded of Kahlo's fierce advocacy for social justice and women's rights, Frida Kahlo was fearlessly herself, embracing her own identity and telling her own unique story, which in turn supported the rights of women everywhere.
Initially, I intended to pay homage to Frida Kahlo, one of my biggest muses and favorite painters, by recreating the iconic photo captured by Nickolas Muray, "Frida Kahlo on White Bench, New York (2nd Edition), 1939." I used my red patterned bed cover as a backdrop to honor Kahlo's captivating presence and indomitable spirit.
However, about a week ago, on 3/21/24, I stumbled upon a new documentary on Amazon Prime simply titled "Frida (2024)." As the documentary unfolded, I learned a detail that shook me: eight days before Frida's passing, she created her last painting she titled "VIVA LA VIDA." a painting of different juicy and vibrant watermelons. I was crying so hard by the end of the documentary because of the connection between the representation of the Palestinian flag, the watermelon, and Frida's last painting.
Despite grappling with deteriorating health, Kahlo's resilience and unwavering spirit shone through in this last piece. "VIVA LA VIDA" serves as a testament to her unyielding zest for life, even in the face of adversity. In this work, she chose to depict mouthwatering watermelons, painted in vibrant hues of green, black, white, and red. Same colors as the Palestinian flag.
Through this photograph, we aim to convey our unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their resilience in the face of extreme adversity. Just as Kahlo used her art to confront social injustices, we believe in the transformative power of creativity to inspire change and foster solidarity across borders.
Through our collective efforts, may we honor Kahlo's legacy and contribute to a brighter, more just future for all.
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Frida Alejandra Torres-Ruiz
Creative Director &Photographer Elias Feghaly
Assistant Director Ziad Feghaly
Make-up Artist Silvie Feghaly
Dress The Nitty Gritty
Styling and Jewelry Elias and Silvie