Georgia O’Keeffe & Frida Kahlo: Two Cultures, Two Journeys, and One Era

Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe first met during Diego Rivera’s retrospective exhibit at the MOMA in December 1931. Both women shared things in common; both were married to older and famous men, and both were part of the modernism movement of the early 20th century. Their relationship included mutual admiration and sympathy. During O’Keeffe’s 1933 nervous breakdown, Kahlo wrote a letter expressing her affection and health concerns. 

For this special 90-minute program, join Carlos Rovelo as he explores O’Keeffe and Kahlo’s friendship, their New York encounter, their art, and their legacies. This talk will also bring The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to dialogue with Kahlo’s La Casa Azul (the Blue House) Mexico City Museum.

After his presentation, Carlos will be joined by Chicle Corcoles, Manager of Community Engagement at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, who recently traveled to Mexico City. The two will segue into a deeper conversation about O’Keeffe and Kahlo, the spaces where they lived, and the historical moment of which they were both a part. 

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This talk is free to attend. Please register in advance. For assistance with event registration, email contact@gokm.org or call 505-496-1000. Can’t make the talk? This program will be recorded and posted on our website and YouTube Channel.

About the Speakers:

Carlos Rovelo is a professor of Mexican American studies and art history at Dallas College. In addition, he has taught courses on Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe, Modernism, and The Mexican Muralist Movement. Carlos has led art history and cultural tours of Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Oaxaca, Mexico since 2000. Carlos is currently a doctoral student at Southern Methodist University (SMU). At the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, he serves on the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Learning and Engagement Committee. Carlos lives in Dallas and Santa Fe.

Chicle Corcoles infuses their work with a philosophy that sees art as malleable with the ability to be community-focused. Hailing from Chicago, they’ve found their creative home in New Mexico. With a background in photography and filmmaking, Chicle believes in creating spaces where people can work through ideas or simply ‘be here now’, or forge connections with others. For them, community engagement programming isn’t just about making art—it’s about cultivating spaces where people can gather, connect, and build relationships grounded in respect and reciprocity.

Alfred Stieglitz. Georgia O’Keeffe, 1918. Gelatin silver print, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Gift of The Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation. [2006.6.1432]. Guillermo Kahlo. Portrait of Frida Kahlo. Dated in the negative Oct. 16/1932. Gelatin Silver Print. 6 by 4 1/4 in. [Public Domain]