Questions Frida Kahlo wanted to ask but painted ‘The Love Embrace, the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Diego, Me and Senor Xoloti’ instead

Print and online

Is this love? Is mossy green the right shade for Earth?

Why doesn’t love last? Why doesn’t blood? Why does this longing?

How to paint gnawing? Can’t figure out and yet I paint brokenness, roots—why?

Where did I read about Shiva’s third eye? Did they say it symbolizes rejecting the material world—the illusion of our reality?

Will you, my viewer, notice the drop of milk? Have you ever loved anyone, loved them like I loved Diego, like I’ve loved the children I could never bring to birth? Is love comparable? Then why do I measure his against mine?

Are we gashes on Earth? Is she bleeding to death? Are icons our apologies to the feminine who nurtures us? Is Madonna real? Surreal?

What colour is apology— a ‘never will I break your heart again’ apology? How to mix the right shade of Universe?

Were we too dark for Love, too heavy a burden? Is that why my lap is full but I have an empty womb?