Directly inspired by Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird by Frida Kahlo, Sarah used the well-known surrealist artwork as her reference for evoking a complete opposite mood in this reinterpretation piece. With the original painting communicating Kahlo's constant suffering, first pointing towards her medical issues, infertility, and then to her troubled marriage with Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, Sarah tried imagining how Frida would paint herself if she was at peace in her life.
Sarah slightly changed a handful of design elements without drastically altering the composition in order to invert the mood and message of the original painting while still maintaining the look and style of a Frida Kahlo painting. By doing so, Sarah translated an overall feeling of pain and hardship, into one of joy, freedom, and contentment, ultimately highlighting Freda's distinct painterly style and celebrating her deeply meaningful work.
The monkey's position has been altered to express care for Frida and appreciation of her as a mother to all animals in her homeland. Unlike the original, Sarah paints the hummingbird alive and full of colour to further express Kahlo's connection to nature. The gold necklace replaces thorns, symbolizing the importance of her Mexican roots through traditional adornment.
A white cat sits takes the place of a black, unlucky one in Sarah's reinterpretation. The cat is perched calmly on Frida's shoulder, a sign of good fortune and purity. The colour of her shirt has been changed from white to pink, suggesting a cheerful mood while simultaneously reflecting the bright colours of Mexican clothing.
Sarah barely turns up the corners of Kahlo's mouth, a big change for Frida who seemed to never smile. As small as this detail may be, it speaks volumes to the message of this painting, achieving the at ease and untroubled tone.
