Inappropriate Art lesson

[Copingmama]

My 9 year old was shown a painting by Frida Kahlo in his Art lesson, which he also stuck into his book. It’s called ‘What the Water Gave me’ and includes naked women, including one being strangled. Does this seem inappropriate?

It wouldn't be my first choice for an art lesson for nine year olds, but I don't think it's inappropriate as such.

Was he perturbed by it?

It's Frida's memoir and an excellent piece of work (in my opinion)
What did your son say/think about it?

Frida Kahlo was an incredible artist. Exposure to great art is part of a rounded education and its not unreasonable to expect a 9yr old to start to develop a maturity around the discussion of art – which yes is full of the nude form and varying degrees of symbolism.

What did the teacher say about the painting?
what did your dc think?

I read this as ‘year 9’ and didnt think it would be too bad then saw you said 9 years old.
so yeah I don’t think that’s appropriate personally

I think it's ok, if he is comfortable with it. To be honest, prob seen more on TV or online these days.

It’s fine, are you not going to take your kid too a gallery or museum incase they see something like that?

Art featuring nudes is a key part of art history and learning how to draw. So I think it's fine. As long as they give the meaning some context.

I think this would go over most kids heads tbh, it’s just bodies, it’s not pornographic, you often see nudes in galleries, not something I could get wound up about really.

Odd choice. Many other pieces could have been chosen.

There are lots of fantastic pieces of art that are more suitable for nine year olds. I dont think this is necessary or appropriate for that age group.

Would you take your 9 year old to Tate Britain? Or any other 'traditional' are gallery? They'd see a lot of death and nudity there! Or is it the more modern depiction that you are worried about?

A 9 year old sees naked women being strangled on TV? I don’t think so.

I think that’s inappropriate.

My DS 12 would cry if he saw this. He's very sensitive but I think that Kahlo has many other paintings that are less morbid and more appropriate for children.

We have a lot of nude statues where we live, everything is on display! Nudity in art is unavoidable x

Your 12 year old son would cry if they saw this? Really?

OP, I’d be happy they chose one of the more interesting Kahlo paintings rather than the ones that have been reproduced on cushions, etc. Sounds like a good art teacher to me

Just be grateful it’s not “My birth” 😂

Is it the strangulation that is the issue? As opposed to nudity (I am thinking of that Simpsons episode where Marge stands up for Michaelangelo’s David going on tour). It’s not an explicit piece of art - the one in question - it’s not Francis Bacon or Hieronymous Bosch.

In fact the way it is painted is very dreamlike. How did your child respond? My goddaughters’ mum is an artist so they have been very used to seeing all manner of artistic outputs from a young age and both are very well-rounded and able to acquit themselves well when discussing issues of humanity (for want of a better way of describing it). I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing - but all children are different.

I remember reading King of the Castle at that age - again, no bad thing - exposure to the darker seams of life has to be managed but it’s definitely not to be avoided.

I can’t even make out the strangling. It’s weird yes but not disturbing to me. My ds who is now12 would not have been inspired by it at 9 but also not disturbed.

I didn't " discover" Frida kahlo until I was in my 60s.
I wish my education had been as enlightened as at your son's school OP.

Naked women, not naked people

What's your issue with it?

I wouldn’t be upset by my 9 year being exposed to the piece as an image, but it opens up lots of sensitive topics / themes that I would be surprised if the teacher had time to spend unpacking, should any of the kids pick up on them (and they do have to be unpacked, if the kids raise them really, if you bring the image to them)….

I’ve taken DS to most of the major museums and galleries in London, so he’s seen everything from animal fetuses in formaldehyde to quite confronting art- we’ve never yet had any upset arise from any of it. Lots of conversations that have had my scratching my head for a sec though!

I think they just look like objects, and we get enough of that.
so many pieces of art to choose from

No issues at all with nudity but I'm not sure a naked woman being strangled is appropriate for 9 year olds. Or the naked lovers tbh.

As @TiredofLDN says, you can't bring these kinds of images to children without discussing the themes they raise. And I'm not sure all 9 year olds would be ready or mature enough for these themes. Some of them by quite a long way.

I wouldn't be bothered enough to complain, but I'd think it was a poor choice by the teacher.