Words by Elizabeth Hazard
MADONNA REIMAGINED AS FRIDA KAHLO
ILLUSTRATIONS AND STYLING BY LEONID GUREVICH |
@LEONIDGUREVICH
Frida Kahlo and Madonna: two luminaries who expressed themselves boldly through their art. Boundary pushers, who never followed the conventional standards of beauty, appear here in the illustrations and stylings of Leonid Gurevich. The two icons meld into one.
With the face of Madonna reimagined through the self-portraiture of Kahlo, the power of two artistic women is emboldened, showcasing the relevance reflected in the work of the two. Flowers intertwine with patterns and other hints of nature in the clothing, hinting at how greatly florals played an integral role in the iconic painter’s work. In 1999, during the time of her “Ray of Light” album launch, Madonna very clearly mirrored the image of Kahlo as she appeared in a floral headpiece, much like the one shown in many of Kahlo’s works of art, in a photo shoot promoting her “Nothing Really Matters” album, shot by Patrick Demarchelier for Harper’s Bazaar. The similarities between the two are striking.
In the words of Kahlo,”Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” Madonna mirrors those very sentiments in the chorus of “Nothing Really Matters.” They both seemed to know that nothing is definite and that every state of being is impressionable. Passion, however is here to stay, and it’s evident through the artwork of both.
The Mexican painter, celebrated for her bold depiction of the female experience and form through her iconic brushstroke, mirrors the talents of the 80s-pop-star-turned-cultural icon. In a 1980 interview with Vanity Fair, Madonna spoke about her Kahlo painting titled My Birth, which depicts the birth of an adult Kahlo, to a mother whose upper body is covered in a sheet. She said,“If somebody doesn’t like this painting, then I know they can’t be my friend.” Madonna’s one painting by Kahlo that she held so dear was in fact created during a time when Kahlo was in Detroit, the birthplace of the singer.
Two women of talent and earth-bounding expression and impact through their work. Passionate, creative, mystifying, and unique, these two artistic icons have shaped and continue to shape the creative realm of the past, the present, and the future.
Top Louis Vuitton
Floral bolero Alexis Mabille
