Contrasting Creatives: Exploring the Artistic Legacy of Georgia O'Keeffe and John Gaw Meem in New Mexico
New Mexico boasts a rich cultural heritage and a wealth of artistic expression. Its striking natural landscapes, vibrant art, and architecture have inspired countless artists and architects over the years. Among the most celebrated creatives from New Mexico, and also my personal favorites, are Georgia O'Keeffe and John Gaw Meem. It is fascinating to observe the contrast between their work and to understand why I am drawn to two divergent styles (modern versus classical).
Georgia O'Keeffe, widely regarded as the "Mother of American Modernism," was a painter and art teacher known for her large-scale, abstract paintings. Born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1887, O'Keeffe spent much of her life in New Mexico, where she was inspired by the state’s natural beauty during a vacation in 1917, which led her to move to New Mexico later in life. Her paintings often depict the state's stark deserts, vast skies, and vibrant sunsets, capturing the essence of northern New Mexico.
One of O'Keeffe's most famous paintings, "Black Mesa Landscape, New Mexico/Out Back of Marie's II," is a prime example of her unique style. The painting features the rolling hills and rugged terrain of New Mexico's Black Mesa region, rendered in stark, almost abstract lines and colors. The painting's striking simplicity is a testament to O'Keeffe's mastery of form and color, and to her ability to evoke the essence of New Mexico's landscape in her art.
John Gaw Meem’s La Quinta at Los Poblanos Historic Inn
John Gaw Meem, on the other hand, was an architect who played a significant role in shaping the appearance and atmosphere of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the early 20th century. Meem was born in Brazil in 1894 and moved to the United States as a young man. Fascinated by the city of Santa Fe and its architecture, Meem decided to make it his permanent home after being diagnosed with tuberculosis and recovering in New Mexico in 1920 at Sunmount Sanitarium. He designed numerous notable buildings in Santa Fe, including the Museum of International Folk Art, the Laboratory of Anthropology, and La Fonda Hotel. His work that is closest to my heart, La Quinta at Los Poblanos Inn, was the venue where I held my wedding reception.
Meem's work is characterized by its use of traditional pueblo architectural elements, such as adobe walls, flat roofs, and rounded corners, combined with classic influences. This unique style, which came to be known as "Santa Fe Style," is still prevalent in the state today, and continues to influence architecture throughout the Southwest.
The work of O'Keeffe's paintings and Meem's architecture showcases how two artists can find inspiration from the same source, yet creatively distinctive results. O'Keeffe's abstract paintings capture the vibrancy and harshness of the Southwest's rugged terrain, while Meem's buildings build upon native architecture to create a unique and timeless style that pays tribute to pueblo structures while incorporating classical architectural elements such as symmetry and columns. In my opinion, placing a bold and vivid work of O'Keeffe's art within Meem's Pueblo Revival Style spaces creates a tangible atmosphere that evokes the pure fascination and silent awe one feels when first encountering the New Mexican high desert.
O'Keeffe and Meem are just as relevant today as they were in the early 20th century. While originality is important in one's work, I believe that it's equally important to learn and study the trailblazers of one's discipline. As artists, we strive to build upon the work of the masters, progressing the industry forward by using new techniques, materials, or perspectives, much like technology. Ultimately, art is subjective, but having a strong foundation and point of view, like the two mentioned above, is as important as pure talent. Their distinctive styles, placed on opposite ends of the artistic spectrum, are unified by their profound association with New Mexico, making them enduring icons of the state's art scene and a significant influence on my own work.