Georgia O’Keeffe at Tate Modern
On Friday I went up to London to meet up with some lovely women from the UK Indie Kindred group to see the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibition at Tate Modern. A number of people on Facebook etc have asked me what my reaction to it was so I though I would write a quick post about it. All the pictures below are from the leaflet you get when you enter the exhibition so I apologise for the quality of my picture of these pictures, but I think they are good enough to give you the general idea. Happily most of my favourites were included in the leaflet.
What follows is a personal reflection of the exhibition and is not intended to be a review.
The exhibition, which is in its last weeks, was very busy, making quiet reflection difficult. I really wished I had made time to come more than once there was so much to see and take in. It was arranged chronologically and included photos of Georgia by Stieglitz and others and various books and other documents. I found I was drawn to pictures from every period of her life, but those that really drew me in were either very colourful. very dramatic, or both. Something I find reflected in my own art.
This iconic picture was chosen as the front cover of the leaflet. Standing in front of it, it seemed to reach out and pull you in. I had an urge to dive right into its centre. Interestingly when looking at the reproductions in the museum shop this pull absolutely wasn’t there and they seemed to be very pale imitations of the reality.
Red and Orange Streak was one of Georgia’s early works painted in 1919. I love the colours and lines in this and the way the orange streak seems to pull you up though the painting.
New York Cityscapes. When Georgia first mooted the idea of painted New York
I was told it was an impossible idea – even the men haven’t done too well with it
This is my favourite of the cityscapes on display I love the colour and shapes and the way in which the moon is echoed by the street lamp and then the traffic light
This is my favourite picture in the whole exhibition athough I am not entirely sure why. Something about the deep colours – some of the blues she uses are just amazing, and the shapes and that beautiful starlit sky which reminded me of the sky as seen through my bedroom window in the middle of the previous night. It was painted on her first visit to New Mexico in 1929
Although this picture of the ‘Black Place’ is monochrome it is full of movement and drama and this is what draws me in. One moment it makes me think of clouds, in another it conjures up an erupting volcano. Georgia returned to the ‘Black Place’ which is about 150 miles west of Ghost Ranch in New Mexico again and again to paint.
The final picture I want to share is one of her final paintings from 1963 and is a skyscape. At first glance it appeared to resemble lilypads on a pond but it was in fact clouds. I can imagine sitting on one of these in a lotus position (well it is a dream) meditating and being filled with serenity.
Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest
Georgia O’Keeffe
Celebrating positive ageing. Having fun engaging with my creativity, seeking new adventures and following my dreams. 
How special that you got to go to that exhibit. When we were in Santa Fe…where she resides, we went to her gallery…such beautiful work and you captured it quite lovely…I was just reading the other day on Amazon that there is a new biography out about her. I might have to get it…
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post…
There was a really good documentary that the BBC made to partner the exhibition. I don’t think it is still available to view but there are some clips that might be worth a look http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07m7rlm
it really was a great exhibition
Someday I hope to see some of her work in person.
It does make a huge difference!
There is nothing like seeing art in person. No reproduction ever comes close to that experience, at least not for me. This looks like a wonderful exhibition.
it absolutely was!
I loved the exhibition too and agree with all your comments, Barbara. I went because I was not that keen on her work but felt I should see it for real……such a different experience. Her sense and use of colour really struck me, and in some ways the simplicity of the compositions of each work was amazing. I have to say I liked the plant paintings least of all. My favourite was Blue and Green Music….but lots of other wonderful works too. Thanks for prompting me to think of it again.
I liked Blue and Green Music too I love the way the colours pull you in – thanks for sharing your thoughts