All tagged Mexico

Amelio Robles Ávila

Harper-Hugo Darling

Amelio Robles Ávila was an interesting man, but not one that would usually find himself written so largely into the history books. He joined the Mexican Revolution in either 1911 or 1912 and had a successful career as a colonel in the army throughout the revolution. He would be decorated for his service after it was complete, and then settled with his wife in a small town and lived in relative quiet. What draws so many eyes to his story, in particular, is one facet: he was assigned female at birth.

Chavela Vargas

Harper-Hugo Darling

Some have stepped onto a path of their choosing, and never strayed from it. Chavela Vargas was never that person, which is not to say that she was indecisive, she was clear about who she was and what she wanted from her life, but her path twists and turns through her ninety-three years of life.

Nancy Cárdenas

Harper-Hugo Darling

Working in activism, whether that be incendiary writings, marches, protests, treatise, meetings, petitions, or speeches, has been an almost necessary part of the queer identity through difficult times. While there have been some able to carve out a small space of happiness for themselves and possibly a small collective of other queer people, much of modern understandings of queerness are rooted in the need to create change.

Victoria Arellano

Victoria Arellano

Harper-Hugo Darling

Victoria Arellano moved to the United States of America from Mexico to live with her mother, Olga, in California when she was seven years old. From a young age, she knew she was transgender, drawing herself in pictures as a crying woman, and writing poetry about her identity. She would put on makeup before going to school, and sneak out of her window to avoid fighting with her disapproving mother.

Bricktop

Bricktop

Harper-Hugo Darling
Happy Endings, World War 2

To wrap up Black History Month, we are going to do another two-part article looking at a woman who was the center of the night scene in Paris during the 20’s. We will look at a woman who was not only talented in her own right, but also fostered the talent of the people around her, and made connections with some of the most incredible rising stars of her day. We will discuss the impact of a woman who was loved by almost everyone she interacted with. 

Tamara de Lempicka

Tamara de Lempicka

Harper-Hugo Darling
Happy Endings, World War 2

When writing an article about an artist, one expects to have some discussion of the art created by the person in question, but in this case, that is going to be avoided. Tamara de Lempicka was a highly controversial artist, and there is no lack of people studying her work, no matter which side they fall on in regards to its worth. But we are not going to be looking at that, as we are not art experts, and have never claimed to be. We are going to be looking instead at her life, and it is an extraordinary one to discuss.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo

Grace Wordsworth

Frida Kahlo's life seems best encompassed by three themes: her art, her politics, and her love. To explore these themes properly, however, we must look at where she came from. Frida herself states that she was born in La Casa Azul, just outside of Mexico City. Her parents were Matilde Calderon y Gonzalez and Guillermo Kahlo. Guillermo was a photographer who had spent part of his life in Germany, but who emigrated to Mexico due to Jewish ancestry.