New Mexico: The painter’s paradise

In 1929, O’Keeffe first visited New Mexico, a place that would grasp her for the rest of her life. Enchanted by the region’s dramatic landscapes and rich cultural history, she began to divide her time between New York and the Southwest, eventually settling permanently in New Mexico in 1949, following Stieglitz’s death.

The vivid colours, vast skies, and rugged terrain of New Mexico provided O’Keeffe with a wellspring of inspiration, leading her to create some of her most iconic works.

During this time, O’Keeffe’s focus shifted from flowers to the Southwestern landscapes that surrounded her. She was particularly drawn to the area’s unique geological formations, such as the red cliffs and sprawling mesas. In works like The White Place in Sun (1943) and My Backyard (1943), O’Keeffe masterfully captured the undulations and emotions of the land, evoking a sense of spirituality and solitude.

O’Keeffe’s fascination with the natural world extended to the animal bones she discovered in the desert. She saw these relics as symbols of the cycle of life and death that governed the land. In paintings like Pelvis with Moon (1943) and Ram’s Head, White Hollyhock—Hills (1935), she juxtaposed these stark, organic forms against the backdrop of the New Mexico sky, creating striking visual contrasts that underscored the interconnectedness of all living things.

As her career progressed, O’Keeffe became increasingly interested in exploring the abstraction of her work. She experimented with simplified forms and colour relationships, creating a body of work that was both bold and contemplative. Pieces like Untitled (Mt Fuji) (1960), and Sky Above Clouds IV (1965) demonstrated her ability to articulate the ethereal beauty of the world around her, while maintaining a sense of harmony and balance.

Throughout her time in New Mexico, O’Keeffe continued to defy societal expectations and challenge artistic conventions. Despite her deteriorating eyesight in her later years, she remained committed to her craft, creating memorable works well into her 90s.

Recognition and legacy: A lasting impact

Despite of her early setbacks, Georgia O’Keeffe received significant recognition as an artist during her lifetime.

One of her most notable solo exhibitions was held at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1943. This exhibition was her first of two retrospectives and showcased her wide range of work, including her iconic flower paintings, New York cityscapes, and landscapes from her time in New Mexico. The exhibit received positive reviews and solidified O’Keeffe’s reputation as a leading American artist.

In 1970, the Whitney Museum of American Art held a retrospective of O’Keeffe’s work, making her the first woman to have a retrospective exhibition at the museum. This exhibition covered her entire career, highlighting her evolution as an artist and cementing her status as a pivotal figure in American art history.

O’Keeffe’s accolades extended beyond exhibitions as well. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1966, a prestigious honor that recognized her significant contributions to the art world. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the highest civilian honour in the United States, in recognition of her profound impact on American culture and art.

O’Keeffe passed away on March 6, 1986 at the age of 98, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues today.  As a pioneer of American Modernism, she helped to redefine the boundaries of artistic expression, pushing the limits of what was considered acceptable within the medium of painting. Her bold, innovative approach to subject matter and composition paved the way for future generations of artists, while her success in a male-dominated field served as a powerful inspiration for women in the arts.

Today, O’Keeffe’s work continues to be celebrated in major institutions around the world, including the Tate Modern in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her timeless images continue to delight audiences, offering a bold, fresh perspective on the beauty and complexity of the natural world.