Born Isabel Vargas Lizano in Costa Rica, Chavela Vargas (1919-2012) ran
away to Mexico City in her early teens and began singing in the streets. By the
1950s, she had become a darling of the city's thriving bohemian club scene,
where she challenged mainstream Mexican morals by dressing in men’s clothing
while she sang songs intended for men to woo women with incredible passion – and
refused to change the pronouns. This tequila drinking, cigar smoking, rabble
rouser sang at Elizabeth Taylor's marriage to Mike Todd (and ran off with Ava
Gardner) and lived with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in La Casa Azul for over a
year. (Quoted from www.chavelavargasfilm.com)
Watercolour and gouache on paper, 24 x 32 cm
チャベラ・バルガス