Ida O'Keeffe
Escaping Georgia's Shadow
July 4–October 14, 2019
Alfred Stieglitz
Ida O'Keeffe
1924
Gelatin silver print, 4 3/8 x 3 5/8 in.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 1949.3.598
About the Exhibition
This exhibition gives new visibility to Ida Ten Eyck O’Keeffe (1889–1961), younger sister of Georgia O’Keeffe. Through her paintings and prints, as well as photographs of the artist, this exhibition tracks the arc of the younger O’Keeffe’s career—from its beginnings in the late 1920s to the increasingly confident works of the 1930s and 40s.
Trained as a teacher and nurse, Ida O’Keeffe attempted to launch her professional art career at the height of the Great Depression. Although she exhibited often and remained aware of current art trends, she was unable to establish long-term gallery representation and frequently relocated for temporary jobs. Along with her sister Catherine O’Keeffe Klenert, Ida O’Keeffe’s artistic ambitions never earned the support or encouragement of Georgia O’Keeffe. Nor did they benefit from their older sister’s marriage to Alfred Stieglitz, one of the leading gallerists in the country.
In the decades since her death, Ida O’Keeffe has remained an obscure figure. Her life and art have only appeared as context for that of her famed sister. Escaping Georgia’s Shadow provides a more complete picture of the artist’s talents. Organized chronologically, the galleries in this exhibition offer a close look at her innate skills, initial successes, and enduring interests.
Ida O’Keeffe: Escaping Georgia’s Shadow is organized by the Dallas Museum of Art. Generous support for the exhibition and catalogue is provided by the Kaleta A. Doolin Foundation. The Kaleta A. Doolin Foundation is dedicated to being a resource and strategic partner for social change, focusing on advancing equity for women and girls, and encouraging cultural diversity and representation in the arts.
The Clark’s summer 2019 exhibitions and programs are made possible in part by generous support from Denise Littlefield Sobel. Presentation of this exhibition at the Clark is supported by James and Barbara Moltz, Karen and Robert Scott, and Richard and Carol Seltzer.
Trained as a teacher and nurse, Ida O’Keeffe attempted to launch her professional art career at the height of the Great Depression. Although she exhibited often and remained aware of current art trends, she was unable to establish long-term gallery representation and frequently relocated for temporary jobs. Along with her sister Catherine O’Keeffe Klenert, Ida O’Keeffe’s artistic ambitions never earned the support or encouragement of Georgia O’Keeffe. Nor did they benefit from their older sister’s marriage to Alfred Stieglitz, one of the leading gallerists in the country.
In the decades since her death, Ida O’Keeffe has remained an obscure figure. Her life and art have only appeared as context for that of her famed sister. Escaping Georgia’s Shadow provides a more complete picture of the artist’s talents. Organized chronologically, the galleries in this exhibition offer a close look at her innate skills, initial successes, and enduring interests.
Ida O’Keeffe: Escaping Georgia’s Shadow is organized by the Dallas Museum of Art. Generous support for the exhibition and catalogue is provided by the Kaleta A. Doolin Foundation. The Kaleta A. Doolin Foundation is dedicated to being a resource and strategic partner for social change, focusing on advancing equity for women and girls, and encouraging cultural diversity and representation in the arts.
The Clark’s summer 2019 exhibitions and programs are made possible in part by generous support from Denise Littlefield Sobel. Presentation of this exhibition at the Clark is supported by James and Barbara Moltz, Karen and Robert Scott, and Richard and Carol Seltzer.