Yasumasa Morimura, (Japanese, b. 1951)
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Gift 2), 2001
Chromogenic Print
46.5×37 inches
Gift of John Andrew MacMahon ’95
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo is a series of photographs by the renowned Japanese artist Yasumasa Morimura. This series of works pay homage to the life and work of the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, bringing her to life in iconic self-portraits with an imaginative and thought-provoking twist. In this print, we can see the artist himself dress up as Frida Kahlo. He is standing, looking straight at the audience, and holding hands with a hand behind the curtain. Morimura puts on Frida’s iconic hair decoration, the Mexican traditional Tehuana dress, her mono-brow, and makeup. Morimura’s photographs are a visual representation of an inner dialogue between Frida Kahlo and himself, exploring the emotional and psychological experiences of both artists.
The photographs are a visual feast, with intricate details and vibrant colors that burst off the canvas. Morimura’s use of lighting and texture creates a sense of depth and dimension, making the image appear almost three-dimensional. One of the most striking aspects of An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo is the way Morimura has interpreted Frida Kahlo’s paintings. He has taken great care to replicate the elements of her self-portraits, down to the intricate details of her clothing, hair, jewelry, and the background. He imitates Frida’s brush textures and uses rich colors of green, red, and yellow on the background and the dress. The result is an incredibly lifelike portrayal of Frida Kahlo, which is both eerie and enthralling. Audiences would assume that the artist has placed himself in an actual painting of Frida.
In An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo, Morimura has created a visual narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotional. Through his art, he invites us to explore the innermost thoughts and feelings of Frida Kahlo and to experience the depth of her emotional journey. He captures the essence of Frida Kahlo’s life and work in a unique and imaginative way.
Seen in Storage and New Acquisition are periodic blog posts where students, staff, and professors identify some of their favorite works from our permanent art collection. Sometimes clever, sometimes funny, sometimes introspective, and always illuminating, these short posts shine a light on the variety of works that inhabit our beloved basement storage area, when not on view in the galleries or in academic buildings. The permanent art collection provides critical learning experiences to the Davidson community and we encourage you to make an appointment to see these works in person.