Photography Marfa in pictures: An art oasis in the Texan desert

Photo of Gemma Nisbet

By Gemma Nisbet

Travel Photojournalist
West Travel Club & The West Australian

The small town of Marfa, in remote west Texas, has gained an unlikely worldwide reputation as a hub for art, thanks to the influence of the late minimalist sculptor Donald Judd, who moved there with his young family from New York in the 1970s.

One of Marfa's most famous attractions: Prada Marfa, an installation by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, located by the highway about half an hour from the town. Gemma Nisbet
One of Marfa's most famous attractions: Prada Marfa, an installation by artists Elmgreen and Dragset, located by the highway about half an hour from the town. Gemma Nisbet
Prada Marfa is near the small community of Valentine, to the west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Prada Marfa is near the small community of Valentine, to the west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Marfa was founded in the 1880s as a railway water stop. Gemma Nisbet
Marfa was founded in the 1880s as a railway water stop. Gemma Nisbet
The town is said to have been named by the wife of a railway executive for a character in Dostoevski’s The Brothers Karamazov or Jules Verne’s Michael Strogoff. Gemma Nisbet
The town is said to have been named by the wife of a railway executive for a character in Dostoevski’s The Brothers Karamazov or Jules Verne’s Michael Strogoff. Gemma Nisbet
Near Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Near Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
The landscape around Marfa has attracted filmmakers and artists to the area. Gemma Nisbet
The landscape around Marfa has attracted filmmakers and artists to the area. Gemma Nisbet
One of the area's most famous cinematic appearances was in the 1956 epic Giant, which was filmed at Ryan Ranch, west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
One of the area's most famous cinematic appearances was in the 1956 epic Giant, which was filmed at Ryan Ranch, west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Giant starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean in his final film role. Gemma Nisbet
Giant starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean in his final film role. Gemma Nisbet
Ranch land west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Ranch land west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Ranch land west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Ranch land west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Ranch land west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Ranch land west of Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Another of town's claims to fame are the mysterious Marfa Lights. Gemma Nisbet
Another of town's claims to fame are the mysterious Marfa Lights. Gemma Nisbet
The lights can be seen across the Mitchell Flat east of town. Gemma Nisbet
The lights can be seen across the Mitchell Flat east of town. Gemma Nisbet
There's an official Marfa Lights viewing area on Highway 90, but their source remains a mystery. Gemma Nisbet
There's an official Marfa Lights viewing area on Highway 90, but their source remains a mystery. Gemma Nisbet
Marfa owes its current prominence in the art world to the late artist Donald Judd, who moved to the town in the 1970s. Gemma Nisbet
Marfa owes its current prominence in the art world to the late artist Donald Judd, who moved to the town in the 1970s. Gemma Nisbet
Judd bought up buildings and land around town to install his works and those of his friends and contemporaries. Gemma Nisbet
Judd bought up buildings and land around town to install his works and those of his friends and contemporaries. Gemma Nisbet
Today, the town of about 2000 people has become an internationally recognised centre for contemporary art. Gemma Nisbet
Today, the town of about 2000 people has become an internationally recognised centre for contemporary art. Gemma Nisbet
There are at least a dozen art galleries in Marfa today. Gemma Nisbet
There are at least a dozen art galleries in Marfa today. Gemma Nisbet
There's also a surprisingly good selection of restaurants, cafes and places to stay, such as the super-cool trailers at El Cosmico, pictured here. Gemma Nisbet
There's also a surprisingly good selection of restaurants, cafes and places to stay, such as the super-cool trailers at El Cosmico, pictured here. Gemma Nisbet
The landscape surrounding Marfa has an epic, cinematic quality. Gemma Nisbet
The landscape surrounding Marfa has an epic, cinematic quality. Gemma Nisbet
There's also a scattering of cutting-edge architectural designs among the mostly modest homes. Gemma Nisbet
There's also a scattering of cutting-edge architectural designs among the mostly modest homes. Gemma Nisbet
Prickly pear in Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Prickly pear in Marfa. Gemma Nisbet
Marfa is also well placed for excursions to McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis to the north and to Big Bend National Park along the nearby Mexican border. Gemma Nisbet
Marfa is also well placed for excursions to McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis to the north and to Big Bend National Park along the nearby Mexican border. Gemma Nisbet
And then there are the spectacular sunsets... Gemma Nisbet
And then there are the spectacular sunsets... Gemma Nisbet

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