This is one of Georgia O'Keeffe's most famous paintings. It is titled simply "Red Canna" after the strikingly beautiful red flowers of which they are an artistic representation. This is arguably one of the most recognizable pieces of art in America, as the artist is particularly well known, especially throughout the South West where she gathered much of her inspiration which is evident upon viewing much of her works.
When faced with this piece in class discussion, it became impossible to separate it from anything else than sexual imagery. "Vagina flowers," as it was so bluntly put. How could anyone not catch on as easily as our class to what these flowers truly represented? It is easy to see the flesh like tones, and assign anatomical classifications to the various parts composing the flower. This interpretation was seen as so obvious that there was no debate on the issue.
There were indeed several students who did not associate this image with that specific part of the female body. This is due to several different reasons. Either they had never seen this image before and had not been subject to the imposing views of others or an even simpler reason is that they did not have their mind in the gutter. They did not jump immediately to the sexual conclusion and instead looked at them as beautiful, vibrant flowers. This is a testament to how ideas can spread like wildfire and can lead one to believe that people will jump on the band wagon of interpretation for the sake of feeling comfortable among their peers. It became easier to see this image as what the bulk of the interpreters believed because it leads to less discomfort among them by creating a common belief upon which all can agree. Being different promotes too much discord and in the end it is easier to agree than disagree and fall subject to the opinions of others than stick to one's own.
Georgia O'Keeffe said herself, "Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small. We haven't time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time.
If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to myself - I'll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I'll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.
...Well, I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower you hung all your own associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see of the flower - and I don't."
Word for word, O'Keeffe refutes all the sexual interpretation of her work. She simply portrays the glory of an object simple enough to overlook on a daily basis, but one of the most complex in beauty within the natural world. It is a reproduction of her experience in nature, and the true meaning of this work is directly related to that. Its meaning has no footing in the audience's beliefs but took its essence from the bright colors and marvelous form that makes nature so enticing in the first place.
Realizing the truth behind this art, it is important to reflect upon what is lost when interpretations are made. The artist did not intend for any interpretation, she merely wanted to share an often overlooked beauty that deserved more attention. What does this piece of art lose, when we move beyond that, and lose respect for the essence of the flower and what it can offer us when we associate it with imagery that if blown up and put right in front of our faces would be considered offensive and taboo?
