Georgia O'Keeffe: "My New Yorks"

Georgia O'Keeffe's "New York" paintings from the late 1920s are explored in a new book, showing how they reflect narratives of built environments, racialized space, and the politics of place. The paintings are part of a larger body of work and will be on display at the Art Institute of Chicago and the High Museum in Atlanta.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 25 June 2024
Publisher: Art Institute of Chicago

A revelatory exploration into the profound significance of Georgia O'Keeffe's late 1920s paintings in New York City emerges through this comprehensive study. In 1924, O'Keeffe, accompanied by her husband, the photographer and art dealer Alfred Stieglitz, relocated to the Shelton Hotel in Manhattan, which marked the city's inaugural residential skyscraper. The awe-inspiring heights of this architectural marvel ignited a creative spark within O'Keeffe, leading her to produce a remarkable series of approximately twenty-five paintings and numerous drawings spanning a period of roughly five years. These works, known as "my New Yorks," showcase two distinct compositional styles: expansive views gazing down upon the bustling cityscape and humble perspectives directed upward towards the towering urban monoliths.

O'Keeffe's artistic approach diverged from that of her contemporaries, such as Charles Sheeler and Paul Strand, who celebrated New York as a streamlined and impersonal series of geometric canyons. Instead, she sought to capture the city's essence by portraying it as a harmonious blend of organic and inorganic elements, merging the natural with the constructed. This unique perspective allowed her to convey New York "as it is felt," capturing the city's vibrant energy and dynamic spirit.

By contextualizing the New York paintings within the broader scope of O'Keeffe's artistic oeuvre, this publication delves into the narratives surrounding built environments, racialized spaces, and the politics of place. It sheds light on how O'Keeffe's artistic vision evolved, influenced by her experiences and observations of the city, and how she used her paintings to express her unique perspective on the urban landscape.

This insightful exploration will be presented at the Art Institute of Chicago from June 2 to September 22, 2024, followed by an exhibition at the High Museum in Atlanta from October 25, 2024, to February 16, 2025. The exhibition will offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of O'Keeffe's artistic legacy and appreciate the profound impact her New York paintings had on her artistic development and the art world at large.

Weight: 1576g
Dimension: 238 x 314 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300275759