On Wednesday, March 13, AP Spanish Language students were given the opportunity to see the largest Frida Kahlo exhibit in the United States in ten years (brooklynmuseum.org) at the Brooklyn Museum. Accompanied by Mrs. Zisel, among other chaperones, students learned about Kahlo’s background, artwork, and culture in the exhibit, Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving.

In weeks prior to the field trip, students briefly learned about the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. Kahlo suffered from polio and incorporated her struggles into her artwork. Through her many self portraits, she communicated her physical weakness and emotional strength.

The size of the exhibit shocked and intrigued all of the students on the trip. It was almost too much to take in at once, and each student wished for more time to explore the artwork and historical background. Led by a guide, students listened to stories about Kahlo, her thoughts, and her experiences. They were later given time to explore the exhibit on their own. For the fifteen minutes allotted, students quickly searched around, taking in each unique fact, discussing which ones stood out the most. What may have stood out the most was how strong Kahlo must have been to deal with her constant physical pain. At one point she wrote that she ceased crying, for it did not help. Senior Hashir Siddiqui remarked, “Being able to see Kahlo’s works and contributions firsthand allowed for an interesting and unique form of education.”

Feeling incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to learn more about Kahlo, students returned to Mepham sharing all they learned with their friends. “Students were given the opportunity to see first hand what they had previously learned in the classroom, viewing Kahlo’s self portraits, clothing, and her inner and outer beauty,” says teacher, Mrs. Zisel.