A Caribbean homage to Frieda Khalo

.

Let’s imagine the scene. We are in Saint Francois , a small seaside town in a Caribbean island..In a supermarket loaded with imported goods.,Indeed we could be in an European city or somewhere similar, I am browsing, slowly going through one aisle after another, unsure if I truly desire something.

My musing is suddenly interrupted by an other worldly vision. It is of a woman straight out of a Garcia Marquez ‘s story.. As she passed close a printed portrait of Frieda Khalo is alive. Frieda shifts and glides across the silky fabric of the woman’s dress. Her movements creates an entrancing visual effect, turning her entire outfit into a power pendulum..

Mesmerised I start to follow her discreetly .with phone in hand and ready to capture anything other than images. Looking for interesting details I observed that her hair is woven into an elaborate hairdo made of rows of mostly silver braids. A thin white ribbon is intertwined into a single plaits that hangs on her back.

Thin gold hoops inserted in her earlobe and a gold chain with a Christian medallion are the only jewellery. But the ruby red sash with a side bow that cinches her waist gives her a regall allure.

When she stopped at the display cabinet of frozen food . I stand on the opposite side to watch easily Free from make up her face is sealed like a secret.I aimed at her pressing on the shutter hoping Ito captured something worthwhile.

There is something incongruous with the aqua blue plastic shopping trolley from the supermarket she is pulling behind her. Strangely that blue plastic object imprinted a discomfort both into the images and within me.