Trevor Schultz

Period 1
12/12/14
Identity Analysis

Frida Kahlos Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the

United States

Frida Kahlos painting, Self-Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico

and the United States, completely epitomizes the idea of identity. This
painting symbolizes her struggle of having a bicultural influence in her life.
This painting embodies a multitude of visual art elements and she
successfully portrays her struggle of coping with her own identity that is
made up of opposites. Frida Kahlos paintings were very symbolic and almost
every single one had to deal with identity.
One of the main elements of this painting is contrast. Frida, the
centerpiece, is getting the best of both worlds because she is the dividing
line between Mexico and the United States. When you look at the painting,
the United States is a very industrialized and civilized country while Mexico
is seen as more a primordial or non-civilized country. The wires of the
machines in the United States slowly feed into being the roots of the
indigenous plants of Mexico and the structures of Mexico look very ancient
while the structures in America are vast skyscrapers. Another example of
contrast is her hands. If you look closely, you can see that she is wearing
gloves and that she is also holding a cigarette. This is symbolic of the formal
etiquette of Americas roots with the gloves and the rebellious past of Mexico
with the cigarette. Thats powerful. Another form of contrast in this painting

Trevor Schultz
Period 1
12/12/14
Identity Analysis

is the juxtaposition between the dolls that resemble birth, mid-life, and
death. She is trying to express that Mexico is her homeland and that she will
live her whole life, and even die, in Mexico. Notice how she doesnt have
anything related to that on the side the represents America? Exactly.
Color is also a huge key element in this painting. Frida uses color to
emphasize how the world sees Mexico and the United States. First off, she
uses the color pink on her dress to possibly show her feminine side and that
her sex is female. When she uses color to describe Mexico, she uses darker
colors except for the plants. She uses these colors to describe Mexico as this
dark and ominous place that doesnt have that great of history. When she
uses color to describe the United States, she uses lighter colors and she
makes the scenery happy. Notice how she also used color to portray the
suns as the countries are seen in the world. The Mexican sun looks very evil
which sets up misjudgments about Mexico. On the other hand, the United
States sun is very calm and bright. No conflict at all on the American side.
This could also be representative of the moral conflicts between the United
States and Mexico.
This painting is similar to a painting titled, The Wounded Deer, by the
same artist. This painting is very beautiful and it also uses color to
emphasize the message, but not so much contrast. She uses items such as
the arrows to portray her struggle of being a female artist in a very

Trevor Schultz
Period 1
12/12/14
Identity Analysis

traditional country. She is being shot down by her social critics and she is
showing that she is running and jumping around, because she simply doesnt
care about what people think about her or her career. Her use of color here
confuses me. It is not as bold as the colors in her Border Between the United
States and Mexico painting. Its more bleak and dull compared to lively and
pleasant. Frida uses the broken branches and the dead trees to imply the
sense of fear and desperation in which she has basically lived her whole life
in. Since this painting follows a surgical procedure that would cure her of her
back pain, this painting could also imply her dissatisfaction at the outcome of
the procedure. Like other portraits from Frida Kahlo, this painting could also
imply that she is not capable of altering her own destiny due to the word
Carma written on the bottom left of the portrait and because the opening
in the forest could represent a glistening beacon of hope that she will, sadly,
never reach. These two paintings are very alike in most ways, because they
both highlight identity. Frida Kahlo was famous for painting portraits that
personified her and who she was. This painting also implies the adversity in
her life. Not only did she have severe problems with her feet and legs, she
also had many problems with society and many people that didnt accept her
or her art, especially her husband. The broken tree branch could very well
symbolize the struggles that so many imposed on her during her life and she
doesnt even think twice before jumping over all of that. She doesnt seem to
show any emotion while doing it either.

Trevor Schultz
Period 1
12/12/14
Identity Analysis

Another similarity that Frida used in both of these masterpieces was

focal point. In both portraits, Frida lures the viewer into the scene where she
is located. She seems to showcase her struggles in her life and/or her born
identity. In the Borderline portrait, the focal point is her and her beautiful
pink dress. Later, your vision starts to span out in to the background where
you notice that she is the medium of the United States and Mexico. In the
Wounded Deer portrait, the main focal point is her face as well as the arrows
that have inflicted pain to her. Frida definitely likes the viewer to start at the
foreground and then go in from there. Kind of reminds me of Molly Browns
quote to Jack, Just start from the outside and work your way in. Thats a
simple way to sum up both of these masterpieces.
In conclusion, Frida was all about identity. Frida was way ahead of her
time and that reflected in her art. Not only did she incorporate many
different artistic elements into her paintings, she made many social impacts
and mental shifts that pushed the mindsets of Mexicans during the early
Twentieth Century. Frida Kahlos bicultural life didnt destroy her or oppress
her, it strengthened her. From wearing tuxedos to drawing on mustaches,
Frida Kahlo will never be forgotten as one of the most profound artists in all
of the worlds history. Neither will her thought-provoking masterpieces.

Trevor Schultz
Period 1
12/12/14
Identity Analysis

Works Cited
"Explore PBS." PBS. PBS. Web. 15 Dec. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org>.

"WikiArt.org - the Encyclopedia of Painting." WikiArt.org - the Encyclopedia of Painting. Web. 15

Dec. 2014. <http://www.wikiart.org>.