Frida Kahlo's "Self-portrait on the Border between Mexico and the United States" sets an interpretation of the stark contrast between the two nations with the use of many colors that represent different feelings towards the two. All the objects scattered around the painting characterize traditional and modern symbols that Kahlo uses to differentiate between Mexican and American culture. With the help of other sources and findings in her personal diary the meanings behind the use of color and texture help with the understanding of each side of the painting and the use of certain objects.
An analysis in Chicana and Chicano Space A Thematic, Inquiry-Based Art Education Resource of Frida Kahlo's border painting demonstrates the different sensory elements used to show a contrast between Mexican and American traditions. According to the article "Frida used fine brushstrokes to illustrate gradual changes in value (light and dark)", which is shown in the slight change of color and texture of the ground on the Mexican side, which seems to contain soil with rocks and pebbles, to the American side that is barren, smooth and inorganic. This contrast between the two sides shows the differences the two nations have; one is more in touch with the earth, while the other is enveloped in its modern, industrialized bubble.
Besides the change in the ground's color, Kahlo also uses symbolic objects, such as plants and megaphones, to illustrate the relationship between one nation's connection to the Earth and the other's union to machines. According to the analysis of the painting by Diana Vazquez the bright colors used on the objects on the left side like flowers, wild plants and corn "represent the natural, colorful, and beautiful spirit of the Mexican country", which indeed is very representative of typical Mexican art that is usually very brightly colored. Such example would be another of Kahlo's paintings, "The Frame", that displays an array of yellows, reds, purples and magentas usually associated with traditional Mexican culture, which is why people see so many brightly colored houses and clothes in Mexico. The wide range of "happy" colors on the left side shows how much Kahlo admires her native country, while the stark and bland grays and browns on the American side portray a somewhat sad and depressing mood. Vazquez' interpretation seems to correctly clarify Frida's change in color usage, from bright colors on the Mexican side to darker ones on the American side.
Aside from the change in color from left to right, there also seems to be a variation in texture. The symbol of earth illustrated by plants and vegetation on the Mexican side of the painting appears to have more variation and texture than the other side. Besides the few straight lines the stone pyramid in the background contains, the rest of the figures have really complex shapes that the very symmetrical American side does not have. For instance, the lighter fertility figure is shaped like a human and contains more depth than the symmetrical, smooth, buildings that are on the right side of the painting. The megaphone and the other two shapes in the front seem to carry a continual pattern of roundness that none of the objects on the left side contain.
Kahlo’s traditional Mexican oil painting, called a retablo because it is painted on metal, is a great example of how two nations who are literally side by side can be so culturally and economically different than one another. These differences are not just highlighted by the obvious objects, like the contrast between industrial buildings and the earthy elements, but also by her changes in color pallets and texture throughout the painting. The analysis is a perfect description of Kahlo’s art work.
http://mati.eas.asu.edu/ChicanArte/html_pages/KahloIssOutl.html#artwork
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