by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens kicked off its spring season Thursday with a new exhibit featuring the work of American artistic icon Georgia O’Keeffe.
As its title suggests, “Georgia O’Keeffe & Her Times: American Modernism from the Lane Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston” features the work of O’Keeffe and several of her modernist peers.
“We (Cummer) are very privileged to have an exhibit of this caliber,” said Cummer director Maarten van de Guchte.
O’Keeffe isn’t the only artist on display — her 12 pieces are intermingled among the 45, with the others comprised of American Modernist artists from the 1910s to the 1950s.
While many of the pieces have slight similarities, said Cummer Assistant Curator Holly Keris, one of the defining features of the works are the vast differences surrounding each.
“Over the years there were rapidly evolving changes,” said Keris, referring to the differences. “Many of the artists struggled to find these changes and what truly made American Modernism.”
The exhibit also features a 15-minute PBS video documentary — a medium not often employed by the Cummer — from the 1970s that gives insight into O’Keeffe’s life and work.
“It’s like an exhibition within an exhibition,” said Keris. “Seating is available and we think it really complements the exhibit.”
The exhibit is one of the most anticipated of the early season for the museum, said Cummer Associate Director of Marketing Amy Chamberlin, and it’s already scheduled to be seen by around 5,000 area students.
Part of the attraction for students and curious patrons alike is O’Keeffe’s name value.
“People hear O’Keeffe and even if they haven’t seen her work, they know of her,” said Hope McMath, Cummer deputy director of programs. “I think people who might not normally come to an exhibit will because she is so recognizable.”
Additionally, the Cummer has a partnership with Players by the Sea theater group, which will present the show, “O’Keeffe!” March 24 — one of several such performances that will accompany a Cummer exhibit this year.
The exhibit itself, said Keris, features artists from across the American Modernism spectrum such as Charles Sheeler, Arthur G. Dove and Stuart Davis, all of whom helped shaped the movement along with O’Keeffe.
“These artists did it in their own manner,” said Keris.
“Georgia O’Keeffe & Her Times: American Modernism from the Lane Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,” is now open and will run through April 12. For more information, go to www.cummer.org.
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