Pelvis Series (Red with Yellow) - Georgia O'Keeffe

A striking abstract study by Georgia O'Keeffe, featuring the organic, curved forms of a bleached desert bone rendered in warm yellow and red tones.

Georgia O'Keeffe produced this work during her time in New Mexico, a period defined by her fascination with the desert environment. The Pelvis Series emerged after the artist began collecting bleached animal bones found in the landscape. She often positioned these skeletal remains against the sky, using the natural apertures of the bone to frame the horizon or the sun.

In this specific composition, the organic form of the pelvis is abstracted into a smooth, rounded shape. The central yellow void acts as a lens, drawing the eye through the frame. O'Keeffe employs a controlled application of paint, creating soft gradients that transition from deep, saturated reds to lighter, warmer tones. The edges of the bone are rendered with precision, contrasting with the fluid, atmospheric quality of the surrounding colour fields. This approach removes the anatomical subject from its literal context, focusing instead on the interplay of shape, light, and colour.

O'Keeffe was known for her ability to isolate natural objects and transform them into large-scale, semi-abstract studies. By focusing on the pelvic bone, she explored the structural beauty of the object while simultaneously playing with the concept of negative space. The work avoids unnecessary detail, relying on the strength of its primary forms to communicate a sense of stillness. The result is a composition that feels both grounded in the physical reality of the desert and detached from it, reflecting the artist's interest in the intersection of natural form and pure abstraction.