Readers have responded to a Guardian editorial on Frida Kahlo's legacy, raising questions about the mass commodification of her image and the impact of the Tate Modern's blockbuster exhibition.
Commercialization vs. Canonization
Dr Penelope Jackson from Matua, Tauranga, New Zealand, questioned the financial success of Kahlo's legacy compared to her own lifetime. 'In her own time, Frida Kahlo did not enjoy the financial success that her so-called legacy does now,' she wrote, suggesting a need to rethink how art and artists are invested in. She noted that the current Tate Modern exhibition hosts only 30 Kahlo works, padded out with more than 200 artworks by others. Jackson argued that while the exhibition may bolster the Tate's budget, it does little for art history. 'Hopefully some of the profits will be invested into exhibitions and acquisitions of art by those who have been left behind by the Kahlomania that our biggest, and supposedly trailblazing, art museums continue to encourage,' she added.
Respect and Dignity for the Artist
Francesca Vaghi from Bergen, Norway, echoed concerns about the commercial use of Kahlo's image. 'We cannot know what Frida would have made of the mass commodification of her image, but given that she was a staunch communist, I think we can all make an informed guess,' she wrote, referencing the editorial. Vaghi highlighted a lack of respect and dignity for the artist in society, comparing the treatment of Kahlo's image to that of Marilyn Monroe. She suggested that rejecting the 'Barbified' version of Frida would be a first step in the right direction.
Positive Aspects of Kitsch
Chris Walters from Buxton, Derbyshire, offered a contrasting perspective, admitting guilt over using a Frida Kahlo calendar but arguing that such merchandise can have positive effects. 'Surely, widening the knowledge and appreciation of her art, life and politics, through what some may consider to be 'kitsch', is a good thing?' he wrote, noting that his granddaughter recognizes the images and the artist. Walters also mentioned his upcoming Frida Kahlo earrings, adding a touch of humor to the debate.
