Frida K

Themes: artists, women, butterflies

Massive butterfly wings extending behind her, the Frida Kahlo under the bridge on West 18th street cuts a striking figure against a cobalt backdrop. She wears a turquoise necklace, a crown of roses, and stares directly at the viewer with a fierce facial expression. Her name, “FRIDA K,” is written in ornate neon green script to her right, drawing in pedestrians walking along the left side of the street. Once again, though this mural may seem to just be a beautiful rendering of the Mexican painter, it is in fact an advertisement.

This time, it is marketing for a new Latinx entertainment venue. Artist Robert Valadez was commissioned by the owners of “Frida K.” to create a mural celebrating the opening of the new salon de baile. Residents may have feared that the closing of the storefront’s old occupant, Pilsen Discount, meant the opening of another high-end chain or fancy store. While a dance hall with an underground level that serves drinks and tacos is not not that, it is a welcome departure from the gentrifying businesses that are popping up like weeds. And all three of its investors are Mexican-American.

The symbolism of the monarch butterfly is quite significant to Mexican identity. These insects’ famous journey from Mexico up north to Canada during the winter has been documented for decades, and Mexico even has sanctuaries purposed for providing the thousands of insects a place to recover from their long flight home. And even before Mexico was Mexico, the butterfly held significance in Aztec culture. Legends from this indigenous culture claim that the creature represented famous warriors and heroes whose souls were transformed into the butterfly after dying a heroic death.

Furthermore, to many, the flight of the butterfly is like the plight of immigrants. After all, the path from Mexico to the United States is the same one taken by immigrants from South and Central America for centuries. As a Mexican citizen, Frida naturally grew up with these same ties to the butterfly, but she developed a personal affection for it as well. After her immobilizing train accident, Frida wrote in her diary, “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?” A symbol of hope and the common journey of immigrants, these beautiful creatures are featured as motifs in many murals in the Pilsen neighborhood.

It is difficult to underestimate the importance of Frida Kahlo to Latinx artists, especially those in Pilsen. A walk around the neighborhood yields many homages to the artist. Pilsen even houses the Frida Kahlo Community Center, underscoring its significance not just to artists but to the community as a whole. At this center, which, like the mural in question, also resides on West 18th street, one can find a variety of free resources, including immigration services and workshops on speaking English, health needs, and academic success.

Compared with other images of Frida within Pilsen, this mural is definitely the largest. Another mural includes the influential artist at the forefront of an ensemble of powerful historical female Latinx figures, and another mosaic pairs her with her husband Diego Rivera. But this painting, albeit aimed to a branding and marketing end, is the only work to showcase her independent of other people. Valadez’ Frida is a vibrant individual whose open wings welcome immigrants and emphasize her powerful status in the neighborhood.

This description was written by Notre Dame student Rory Finn.