Georgia O’Keefe – Tate Modern

Georgia O’Keefe – Tate Modern
6th July – 30th October 2016

I had been eagerly anticipated Georgia O’Keefe exhibition and I was not disappointed. This was a vast collection of work spanned across the whole of the artist’s career.

The striking colours and dynamic compositions grab you immediately as you wander around the exhibition. The abstract early years made ever viewer stop and question what they interpreted. ‘When people read erotica symbols into my paintings, they’re really talking about their own affairs’ Georgia O’Keefe commented on this era. There is no doubt that the paintings are bold compositions, whatever is thought or sensed.

Moving on a couple of rooms, you encounter the Art Deco influenced New York cityscape paintings. O’Keefe painted many landscapes and city scenes from her travels. One that caught my eye was ‘East river from the 30th story of the Shelton Hotel’ 1928; it captures the continuing Industrial Age.

I may be too obvious, however the flowers and still life’s that O’Keefe is ironically link with, where to me the most striking. Autumn leaves – Lake George, N.Y. 1924 and Oriental Poppies 1927 where just two compositions that really appeal to me due to there balance and bold lines.

O’Keefe married the photographer Alfred Stieglitz who captured the artists sensitivity. A 1920 side profile portrait of Georgia O’Keefe with her hands carefully positioned seemed to reflect her artistic compositions.

O’Keefe had many photographer associates. The work of Paul Strand and Ansel Adams can be easily seen as influencing O’Keefe’s work. This creative link is fascinating and inspiring. Maybe it is time for me to swap my lenses for paintbrushes?

Georgia O’Keefe – Autumn Leaves
1924

Georgia O’Keefe – East River From 30th Story Of Shelton Hotel 1928

Jimson Weed White Flower No.1

Georgia O’Keefe photographed by Alfred Stieglitz

1. Autumn LeavesLake George 1924
2. East River From 30th Story Of Shelton Hotel 1928
3. Jimson Weed / White Flower No.1 1932
4. Georgia O’Keefe photographed by Alfred Stieglitz 1920