An intimate view of Frida Kahlo’s wardrobe and belongings through photographs at the Michael Hoppen Gallery in London

Sarah Emily Gilbert

After Frida Kahlo’s death in 1954, her husband, Diego Rivera placed her belongings in the bathroom of their Mexico City house, which later became the Museo Frido Kahlo. Rivera wanted to keep the room sealed until 15 years after Kahlo’s death, but it wasn’t actually opened until 2004 when the museum decided to have Ishiuchi Miyako photograph the over 300 unseen items from Kahlo’s room for the Frida exhibit.

Moving away from her usual Japanese subject matter, esteemed photographer, Ishiuchi Miyako maintains her ability to capture the sentimentality of objects and belongings through photography in this fascinating look at Frida Kahlo. Admittedly knowing little about the famed Mexican artist prior to her work on the gallery, Miyako felt quickly connected to Kahlo through the intimate study and portrayal of her items.

Diagnosed with polio as a child and involved in a near fatal bus accident at 18, Kahlo endured several injuries and subsequent surgeries that left her body scarred and damaged. In order to conceal her physical ailments, Kahlo turned to clothing and accessories. Known for her vibrant and eclectic dress, Kahlo transformed her prosthetic leg into a gorgeous boot complete with Chinese embroidery; her Tehuana dresses into beautiful concealments for her lower body, and her accessories into symbols of her fashion prowess.

“Captured in natural light with a 35mm Nikon, Ishiuchi Miyako's portrayal of [Frido Kahlos clothing and belongings] can seem deceptively simple. Reviewed together however these relics become a composite ‘portrait’, an insight into a woman who used fashion to channel her physical difficulties into a courageous statement of identity, strength and beauty.” (Michael Hoppen Gallery Press Release)

Below, Urban Agenda NYC features some of the photos included in the Frida exhibit at the London-based Michael Hoppen Gallery through July 7^th, 2015.