• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

Art Class Curator

Hands-on and Minds-curious Art Learning

  • Art & Artists
  • Art Connection Activities
  • Art Teacher Tips
  • Elements & Principles
  • Downloads & Resources
Home
  • About
    • About Art Class Curator
    • Contact
    • Speaking
    • Media & Press
    • Programs for Schools
  • Blog
    • Art & Artists
    • Elements & Principles
    • Art Connection Activities
    • Art Teacher Tips
    • Downloads & Resources
  • Book
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • Join
  • Member Login

November 3, 2014 Leave a Comment

Art Around the World in 30 Days – Day #3 – Mexico

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Hola! Today Masterpiece Monday and Art Around the World collide into an action-packed post about a super cool work of art. Okay, maybe not action-packed, but the artwork is super awesome. I gave you a hint yesterday that an awesome unibrow would come into play today. Did you guess the artist correctly?

The Art Curator for Kids - Art Around the World - Mexico - Frida Kahlo, The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico)-np

The Art Curator for Kids - Art Around the World - Mexico - Frida Kahlo, The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xólotl, 1949
Frida Kahlo, The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xólotl, 1949

If you guessed Frida Kahlo, you are exactly right. I am so sorry for that annoying question mark on my feature image. I wasn’t trying for click bait or anything, I just don’t have the rights to the image. I think I qualify for fair use, but just to be sure, I am only including small, low quality images of artworks that were made after 1923. So, here you go. This is the artwork we are talking about today–The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Señor Xólotl by Frida Kahlo. To see it larger, click here or on the picture to get a nice big view. Then, come back and think more about it.

I’m usually hesitant to give a lot of information about the artworks on here, because I really want you and your kids to think of your own interpretations. Here are a couple bits of information to help guide your own interpretations of this piece.

  • “I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you.” -- Frida KahloFrida Kahlo is a painter from Mexico. She contracted polio when she was young and then was seriously injured in a bus accident at a young age, so she spent most of her life in pain  (You can watch this amazing movie about her life, Frida starring Selma Hayek. It’s rated R so this is for you.). She eventually regained the ability to walk, but the accident made her unable to have children.
  • She was married to Diego Rivera, who was also a painter. He was much more famous in their day, and they had a very tumultuous relationship.
  • Xólotl was an Aztec god of lighting, fire, death, sickness, and deformities [Source].

Okay, take those bits of information, look at the painting, and answer the following questions with your students.

Art Discussion Questions

  1. What’s going on in this painting? What do you see that makes you say that?
  2. Who are these characters? What are they doing? Describe the relationship between the characters.
  3. What symbolism do you notice in this artwork? (for example, Why does Diego Rivera have an eye on his forehead? Why is Frida holding a nude Diego?)
  4. What is the meaning or message in this artwork?

Frida Kahlo Art Project

Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait with Cropped Hair, 1940
Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait with Cropped Hair, 1940

You can’t study Frida Kahlo and not do a self-portrait project. You just have to. She includes herself in most of her paintings. She is so skilled at looking at herself, reflecting, using her imagination, tapping into her subconscious, etc. Instead of just doing a self-portrait capturing their physical appearance, have your kiddos put themselves into a story or setting related to who they are and what they hope and dream for their life. Think and talk about symbolism, what (and who) is important in our lives, and how we feel about our world. Put it in the art. Think and play and create.

 

More Awesome Frida Kahlo Stuff

Here is a PBS site, the Life and Times of Frida Kahlo. It has a lot of great info  as well teacher and parent guides. It is a supplement to this DVD of the same name (The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo).

There are sooooo many amazing Frida products. You know you want Frida socks. I was going to pick a couple that work with kids like the children’s books, the coloring book, and the stickers, but I couldn’t resist the magnetic dress-up, the paper dolls, the tattoos, etc. So, so great.

 

 

 

Please note, this post includes Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

The Art Curator for Kids - Frida Kahlo Fun2

Thanks for visiting. Tomorrow, we head to Japan to talk about one of my favorite sculptures ever.

Click here to find more art from around the world, and come back tomorrow for another installment! Remember you can get the whole month of Art Around the World posts as a PDF eBook in the Curated Connections Library.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Art and Artists
Tagged With: frida kahlo

 

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

The Best Examples of Balance in Art: Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial5 Tips for Meaningful Classroom Art DiscussionArt Discussion First Day of School6 Juicy Artworks for the First Day of School

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Cindy Ingram, the creator of Art Class Curator and The Curated Connections Library

I’m on a mission to revolutionize education with the power of life-changing art connections. Art is not “extra”. Art is essential. We are empowering teachers to bridge the gap between art making and art connection, kindling a passion for art that will transform generations.

More About Me

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Download

Free Resource!

82 Questions About Art

82 questions you can use to start and extend conversations about works of art with your classroom. Free download includes a list plus individual question cards perfect for laminating!

Enrollment in Curated Connections Library is currently open. Click here to join. Join our list to get more information and to get a free lesson from the vault! If you are purchasing for a school or school district, head over here for more information.

Check Out What’s New In The Shop

Experience Art: Engaging Art Criticism Discussions and Activities for Teachers and Students of All Ages
Call to Art: An Un-Conference for Art Educators
Curated Connections Library Membership
Perspectives High School Curriculum

More Products

Have You Listened to the Latest Podcast Episode?

Falling for Naudline Pierre’s Evocative Art: A Conversation with Madalyn (Part 2)

More Episodes

Testimonials

I like how this program, unlike other art class resource membership programs, feels authentic. It's like art matters more here, and not fancy flash-in-the-pan trendiness. The goal of Art Class Curator seemed to be helping kids develop a lifelong love and art appreciation versus "Hey, look. I painted this fish."
Erin A.
Your questions are helping me to delve into much deeper learning, and my students are getting better at discussion-and then, making connections in their own work. Art Class Curator is awesome!
Denise W.
Interestingly, my lower performing classes really get engaged in these [lessons] and come away with some profound thoughts!
Melissa G.
I had the most amazing 6th grade class today. They were jumping out of their seats with hands raised just to respond and give input. It was as if I was waving candy in front of them! They saw more and more and the ideas and interpretations unfolded. So cool!!! This is what makes teaching art so wonderful – thank you!!
Caroline G.
I just wanted to thank you for the invaluable resource you have through Art Class Curator. Not only do you have thought provoking activities and discussion prompts, but it saves me so much time in preparing things for myself! I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface with your site.
Maryjane F.

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

Enter your email address to get regular art inspiration to your inbox
plus a BUNDLE OF 6 FREE WORKSHEETS!
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.
Download

Free Worksheets!

*Free Bundle of Art Appreciation Worksheets*

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Copyright © 2025 Ignite Art, LLC DBA Art Class Curator •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy Policy  •  Terms of Service  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs