Shifting Identities: The Changing Landscape of O’Keeffe Country
In the high desert of northern New Mexico, the interplay of light and shadow paints the cliffs in hues of yellow, ochre, and sienna. This picturesque landscape, once the muse for Georgia O’Keeffe’s celebrated paintings, is now the center of a cultural shift.
Known as “O’Keeffe Country,” this region is closely associated with the artist who immortalized its beauty in her works. However, a movement led by Pueblo Indians and Hispanos, who have long inhabited the area, seeks to redefine its identity. As they advocate for a name change, a historic conservation plan ensures the landscape’s protection.
The Ghost Ranch, where O’Keeffe found inspiration, is central to this narrative. David Evans, CEO of Ghost Ranch, reflects on the appeal: “Georgia O’Keeffe loved this area… the richness of the colors of the cliffs against the sky, the way the light plays on it, the way the clouds move in. It’s incredible.”
O’Keeffe, who came to love Ghost Ranch during her visits in the 1930s, described the area vividly to her husband, Alfred Stieglitz, as “Perfectly mad-looking country, hills and cliffs and washes too crazy to imagine, all thrown up in the air by God and let tumble where they would.”
Rewriting the Narrative
While O’Keeffe’s legacy resonates globally, local Tewa communities, including the Pueblo Indians, challenge her famous claim to Cerro Pedernal, a mountain she painted 29 times. Tewa artist Jason Garcia notes the mountain’s sacred significance, remarking, “It’s just not just hers. You have Tewa people that have lived here on the landscape, as well.”
Garcia co-curates Tewa Nangeh, an exhibition at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, where Tewa artists respond to O’Keeffe’s artistic claims on their ancestral lands.
Bess Murphy, co-curator and museum art curator, emphasizes, “For so long the story of northern New Mexico has been told only through Georgia O’Keeffe’s eyes… we were hoping to create a space in the museum where we can add complexity to that narrative.”
Protecting the Land
Despite the shifting cultural landscape, O’Keeffe’s impact remains a significant draw for Ghost Ranch. Events like the Blossoms and Bones music festival continue to attract visitors.
In December, a conservation agreement was announced to protect the landscape. The New Mexico Land Conservancy will preserve 6,000 acres of the ranch, ensuring the area remains undeveloped.
“This is truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect one of the West’s most iconic landscapes,” says Jonathan Hayden, executive director of the New Mexico Land Conservancy. The arrangement will prevent future developments like cell towers and ranchettes, maintaining the ranch’s natural beauty.
Finding a Balance
Ghost Ranch continues to balance the needs of its varied stakeholders, from artists to local cattlemen like Norman Vigil, who lease grazing rights. “It allows us to maintain our culture, our historical use,” Vigil explains.
Meanwhile, the impact of “O’Keeffe Country” on local economies sparks debate. While some benefit from tourism, others like Vigil see rising property prices as a downside.
As Ghost Ranch charges film crews for scenic backdrops, Tewa artist Garcia understands the allure: “It’s a beautiful place. I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
