Shared Aesthetics: Georgia O’Keeffe and Modern Design

Rational ideals of Modernism were emerging across art, literature, dance, theatre, and design. In the decorative arts, Bauhaus principles of minimalism, new materials, function, and form were exemplified. Modernism rejected precious methods of composition to reveal the essence of an object and its utility. It is no wonder that Georgia O’Keeffe found commonality and ultimately friendship in designers like Alexander Girard, and Ray and Charles Eames. In this talk, Elizabeth Lay will examine the origins of American modern design in the mid-twentieth century through furniture and textiles, and how it was lived by Georgia O’Keeffe and her circle of innovative friends.

About the Speaker

Elizabeth Lay is the newly retired Curator at Montgomery History specializing in American decorative arts. She is a regular speaker on design topics for Smithsonian Associates and the host of their “Lunch with the Curator” program. Her research focuses on 20th century design and material culture with an emphasis on creative women working between 1915 and 1965. She holds a master’s degree in the History of Decorative Arts from the Smithsonian-GMU program in Design History. Additionally, she is an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University teaching Women Designers of the Twentieth Century.