There are many iconic photos of Frida Kahlo, but very few of them showcase the artifacts that literally held her up: surgical braces, casts, and prosthetic limbs. These items—though medical in nature–are beautiful in their own right. They represent both the pain that fueled Frida’s art as well as the support that she needed to endure a trauma-filled life. 

The “What Held Her Up” series pays homage to two of these objects: Frida’s prosthetic leg & back brace. Surrounded by marigolds, the objects sit within a shrine-like setting resembling the ofrendas created during Mexico’s Día de los Muertos celebrations. 

The medium also compliments the subject. When cut and sculpted, paper is both fragile and strong throughout its creative lifespan, as was Frida. The pain may have made her fragile, but it—along with her medical apparatuses—also made her strong and one of the most beloved artists of the 20th Century.

The pieces were part of “The World of Frida” exhibit, which featured over 150 fine artists and traveled to 10 galleries and museums in the United States.