Becoming Frida Kahlo

- [Reporter] Flutter of the week in Manhattan was caused by the first exhibition of paintings by famed muralist Diego Rivera's German Mexican wife, Frida Kahlo.

In a note on her exhibition, surrealist Breton ended by describing her painting as "a ribbon around a bomb."

(jazz music) - [Luis-Martn Lozano] She was totally unknown in New York.

I mean, she was nobody.

She was the wife of Diego Rivera.

And here she comes along, "I'm a Mexican modern woman artist showing her work in New York."

(jazz music) So it's a huge moment for Frida Kahlo.

She's there, yes, of course, because of all these connections she and Rivera had, but it's her own work.

And the quality of her painting that talks for her.

(pensive music) - [Gannit Ankori] Her first solo exhibition, November 1st to the 15th, so just two weeks.

She shows 25 paintings.

And it includes some of the most shocking.

- [Luis-Martn Lozano] This was way ahead of what any other woman artist was capable of wanting to show to the public.