Hawaii is coming to the Botanical Gardens this weekend with this interactive exhibit based around Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. What better way to welcome in the summer than with a “trip to Hawaii”?
The New York Botanical Gardens is hosting a new exhibition of beautiful tropical and subtropical flowers at their, “Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai’i” show. If you’re unfamiliar with O’Keeffe’s work, this is a great way to get introduced to an artist who focused on landscapes of New York and New Mexico, flowers and desert craniums (amongst other beautiful things).
Her trip to Hawai’i, and all the subsequent paintings, were commissioned by Dole- you know, the pineapples- for a marketing campaign. What was originally meant to be two works, turned into a 20 piece study of her experience on the island.
The exposition focuses on these lesser known paintings while putting them in the context of her experience in Hawai’i as a young artist.
The “lush exhibition in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory of Hawaiian flora and a stunning display in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library Art Gallery that includes 17 of O’Keeffe’s Hawai‘i paintings—not seen together in New York since their debut in 1940—spotlight a transformative experience in the legendary artist’s life, revealing O’Keeffe’s deeply felt impressions and the enduring influence of the Islands’ dramatic landscapes and exotic plants.”
The Botanical Garden is known for their impressive displays and this one is no different. Stop by anytime throughout October not only to smell the flowers, but also for a plethora of other events like traditional Hawaiian performances, activities for children, and adult drink nights. You can check out more info on their website.
Featured image: nybg.org