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Press Release

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Remembers Juan Hamilton

March 6, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–March 6, 2025–(Santa Fe, NM)–The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum has released the following official statement on the passing of Juan Hamilton:

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum sends its deepest condolences to Anna Marie Hamilton, their sons, and the entire Hamilton family after the passing of Juan Hamilton.

A talented artist, Mr. Hamilton’s ceramic and sculpture works are in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and many others, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

After coming to New Mexico in 1973, Mr. Hamilton had an undeniable presence in Georgia O’Keeffe’s life. For 13 years, he became a companion both at home and in travel, a studio assistant, and a trusted administrator of O’Keeffe’s business affairs. He served as a special consultant to the Museum’s Board of Trustees since the Museum’s inception in 1997.

After her death, he became an ardent steward of her legacy, generously gifting many of O’Keeffe’s personal belongings to the Museum, which remain significant pieces of O’Keeffe’s story as an artist and a person. These objects and her story continue to inspire the thousands of people who visit the Museum and the Home & Studio in Abiquiú each year. Juan will be remembered as a dear friend of the Museum and our namesake artist.

Juan Hamilton in profile taking up the left side of the frame. A blue flat-topped mountain and sky with clouds in the background.
Malcolm Varon. Juan Hamilton at Ghost Ranch, Pedernal in Background, 1977. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Georgia O'Keeffe with her grey hair tied up sitting in front of Juan Hamilton. Both sit in front of a large white pelvis bone propped on an adobe wall and both look in the direction of the camera.
Malcolm Varon. Georgia O’Keeffe and Juan Hamilton at Ghost Ranch, 1977. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

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For media inquiries, contact:
Renee Lucero
Public Relations Manager, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
505-946-1063
rlucero@gokm.org

Images are available at this link.
Image credits:

  1. Photograph by Myron Wood, Myron Wood, © Pikes Peak Library District, 002-9157. 
  2. Claudia O’Keeffe. Georgia O’Keeffe and Juan Hamilton, Post 1973. color photograph, 3 1/2 x 4 3/8. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Gift of The Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation. [2006.6.127] 
  3. Photograph by Myron Wood, Myron Wood, © Pikes Peak Library District, 002-9784-14. 
  4. Fred Mang Jr., National Park Service. Georgia O’Keeffe with Juan Hamilton in Abiquiu Studio, 1979. Color photograph, 8 x 10. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Gift of The Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation. Courtesy of the National Park Service. [2006.6.943] 
  5. Georgia O’Keeffe. Untitled (From a Day with Juan), 1976-1977. Oil on canvas, 48 x 72 1/4 inches. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Gift of The Georgia O’Keeffe Foundation. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. [2006.5.485] Photo: Tim Nighswander/IMAGING4ART 
  6. Malcolm Varon. Georgia O’Keeffe and Juan Hamilton at Ghost Ranch, 1977. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
  7. Malcolm Varon. Juan Hamilton at Ghost Ranch, Pedernal in Background, 1977. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
  8. Juan Hamilton. Abstract Form #4, 1979. Lacquered clay. Loan, Juan and Anna Marie Hamilton. Pictured in Abiquiu Living Room, 2019. Image by Krysta Jabczenski. © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (image only).

ABOUT THE GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM: Since 1997, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum celebrates the art, life, and independent spirit of Georgia O’Keeffe. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Georgia O’Keeffe lived the final decades of her life, the O’Keeffe has sites and experiences in two historic destinations, Santa Fe and Abiquiú. For more information, please visit gokm.org

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