Interview with Carol Sarkisian by Christine Taylor Patten
Scope and Contents Note
Collection contains a typed transcript for an interview with Carol Sarkisian conducted by Christine Taylor Patten. In the interview, Sarkisian discusses her relationship with Georgia O'Keeffe: their meeting, how Sarkisian came to make clothing for O'Keeffe, O'Keeffe's fabric and style preferences, and caring for O'Keeffe when her health was failing. Sarkisian also discusses her relationship with Juan Hamilton: their initial friendship, Sarkisian's husband mentoring Hamilton, and their eventual falling out. The interview occurred over three days in January, March, and April of 1992.
Dates
- Creation: 1992-01-22, 1992-03-22, 1992-04-22
Creator
- Sarkisian, Carol Anne, 1936-2013 (Interviewee, Person)
- Patten, Christine Taylor, b. 1940 (Interviewer, Person)
Language of Materials
Materials entirely in English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to the public for research purposes.
Copy and Reproduction Restrictions
Copies may be made for research purposes only.
Biographical Note
Carol Sarkisian (1936-2013) was an artist and seamstress who studied at the Massachusetts School of Art and the Boston Museum School. She and her husband, artist Paul Sarkisian, moved to Cerrillos, NM in 1971. Mutual friends Jim Spires and Aline Porter introduced the Sarkisians to Georgia O'Keeffe in 1973. Upon learning that Carol Sarkisian sewed, O'Keeffe requested Sarkisian's skills. In addition to her seamstress work for O'Keeffe, Sarkisian worked as a nurse for O'Keeffe near the end of O'Keeffe's life. The Sarkisians also formed a tenuous friendship with O'Keeffe's employee, Juan Hamilton.
Interviewer Christine Taylor Patten started working for O'Keeffe in 1983 as a companion. Patten authored "Miss O'Keeffe," an account of her time as a companion. She has also contributed text to other publications on O'Keeffe.
Extent
.83 Linear Feet
Overview
Typed transcript of interview with Carol Sarkisian by Christine Taylor Patten, 1992.
Acquisition Information
This collection was an anonymous gift to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in 2020.
Existence and Location of Originals
Location of original sound recording is unknown.
Ownership and Rights
Copyright Estate of Carol Sarkisian. This collection is the physical property of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. The Museum holds rights only for material created by Museum personnel or given to the Museum with such rights specifically assigned. The collection is subject to all copyright laws. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply. Contact the Archivist for further copyright and publication information as it pertains to this collection.
Explanation of Rights
https://rightsstatements.org/page/1.0/?language=en
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Ashley Baranyk in 2022.
Genre / Form
- Title
- Finding Aid to Interview with Carol Sarkisian by Christine Taylor Patten, 1992
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Ashley Baranyk
- Date
- August 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum Repository
217 Johnson Street
Santa Fe NM 87501 US
505-946-1000