Last week we looked at the work of Frida Kahlo. None of the children had heard of her and most of my knowledge came from the film so it was interesting to read more and to experiment with ideas from her work. Obviously some of the more gory details were not really suitable for 4 and 5 year olds but the general idea of someone who looked inside herself and painted from her own life and experiences was interesting to them all.
We talked about memories – happy and sad ones – then made little dramas to act out in the show. Each child chose the actors to play the different parts – usually of their parents, sisters and brothers and grandparents. Funny how many memories included a swimming pool!
They each did a self portrait, including their heart and the cords emerging from it which led to bubbles with drawings of the memories and important things in their lives.
At the top – as Frida did – they wrote VISCA and their name.
One of the best parts of the show for me was when they showed their painting and called out their names……. ‘Sóc la Ona, Visca Ona!’ and the whole audience yelled back ‘ Visca Ona’

 The week was marked by emotional ups and downs – perhaps the Full Moon or the influence of Frida?  One boy went wild on a daily basis and couldn’t sit or stand quietly long enough to practice his story. He raced around the room, tapped his feet, turned manic somersaults, resisted all attempts to quieten him down. But….when doing his self portrait or decorating the cigar boxes which we called boxes of desires, he was totally focused and creative and peaceful.
I don’t know why I didn’t take a photo of those boxes – they were incredibly beautiful and if we only had the time we could have talked more about the choices they made of images to use to depict their desires.
Next week….tomorrow…..Andy Warhol.