Up to the 1930s, Kahlo’s self-portraits used imagery of plants and animals, but this developed further as she became the plant or animal, as shown in the 1943 painting ‘Roots’ (See Fig 5) where she metamorphoses into a plant. This amalgamation not only suggests her strong bond with nature but also her search to align herself with a culture and religion, as these animals have a symbolism of their own. Kahlo drew on Occident ideas on actuality and existence, focusing on Pre-Columbian beliefs, later exploring Hindu and Oriental creeds. Kahlo’s deliberate yet creative manipulation of religious references, and of indigenous culture, is one aspect that helps retain her status as the most famous Latin American artist. 'The Love Embrace of the Universe,
