Inside Frida’s Garden: Casa Azul at the New York Botanical Garden

Step beyond the threshold of a walled garden and discover Mexico in NYC…

Beneath the shadow of skyscrapers, an azure oasis hides from view. Step through the bold cobalt and tangerine gate, where spiny cacti mingle with tropical flowers, marled paintbrushes peek out from beyond palm fronds the size of your head, and the spirit of an artist can be felt in every nook, cranny and curve of the verdant, jungle-like thicket. As if on cue, the cacophony of city life — the cabs and trains, the people and cars — is replaced with the slow, lazy drone of industrious honeybees at the bud and the sound of trickling water emanating from a not-too-distant fountain. Leaves and grasses rustle in the soft breeze of late summer, the kind of breeze that hints at the cooler air to come in just a few short weeks. It’s Mexico in all its incredible, vibrant glory… smack dab in the middle of the Bronx.

Stepping over the threshold of the greenhouse, you feel her presence; even beyond death she’s all-seeing, a figure at once comforting and intimidating. The eyes of Frida Kahlo, confrontational, adversarial, void of fear and any hint of self-consciouness look out from behind stands of cacti and between the pots of paint that dot her workspace. This may not be the original Casa Azul, the artist’s former home in Covoacán, outside of Mexico City, but it holds the same spirit. It’s these eyes that initially ensnared me years…lifetimes ago. When I was young and crippled by my own insecurities — as an artist and human being — Frida was there; a beacon of power and autonomy. A revolutionary. To walk among the colors, sounds, and flora that infuse the work of a woman I’ve so long admired is reverential. Eventually I’ll make my way to Mexico, but for now I’ll travel without traveling, crossing the border with a train ride to the Bronx.

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Get the look: Clean Slate Hat, Crystal Mountain Pendant, Caged Cuff Ring

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Get the look: Onyx Witch Cuff, Cosmic Stone Ring

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Get the look: Sweet Escape Wrap Maxi Dress, Cecile Ankle Boot

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

FridasGardenGif1

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

 

Frida Kahlo Garden

FridaGardenGif2

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Frida Kahlo Garden

Frida Kahlo Garden

FridaGardenGIF4

Frida Kahlo Garden

FridaGif5

+ Visit Casa Azul at the New York Botanical Garden through November 1st.

Portraits and video by Christopher Sharp –  follow along on Instagram

Follow FPJulie on FP Me and Instagram

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
7 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
8 years ago

Frida is one of my favourite artist and women in the world! Her life, her passion for art and her determination always blow me away, she is still such a great inspiration.
Hope to be able one day to visit the house she shared with Riveira in Mexico, but I would be happy to visit also Casa Azul in NY.

Thanks for sharing these beautiful photographies, xx.
Have you all a nice day.
Child of the Ocean

8 years ago

Ah I love Frida. These photos are amazing. Definitely need to visit!

http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com

8 years ago

Julie you look so beautiful!!! And the garden looks amazing. I love Frida (for everything) since I was a kid, and although I think he actually made her unhappy a lot of times with his affairs, Diego must have been such a dynamic and charming man!

8 years ago

Everything looks perfect, and i love the model’s rings!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Saphoona

8 years ago

These photos are wonderful! Must’ve been a great experience!

8 years ago

so Wonderfully Vibrantly ALIVE with Color ! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos of this magical place!

The Weaver Of Words…..give me 15 words and I’ll tell you a tale
http://www.averyfairytale.wordpress.com

8 years ago

This post is so inspiring! I love all the photos and colors, the rings, everything is so perfect! Great post.