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.
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.
Prada Marfa is near the small community of Valentine, to the west of Marfa.
Prada Marfa is near the small community of Valentine, to the west of Marfa.
Marfa was founded in the 1880s as a railway water stop.
Marfa was founded in the 1880s as a railway water stop.
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.
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.
Near Marfa.
Near Marfa.
The landscape around Marfa has attracted filmmakers and artists to the area.
The landscape around Marfa has attracted filmmakers and artists to the area.
One of the area's most famous cinematic appearances was in the 1956 epic Giant, which was filmed at Ryan Ranch, west of Marfa.
One of the area's most famous cinematic appearances was in the 1956 epic Giant, which was filmed at Ryan Ranch, west of Marfa.
Giant starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean in his final film role.
Giant starred Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean in his final film role.
Ranch land west of Marfa.
Ranch land west of Marfa.
Ranch land west of Marfa.
Ranch land west of Marfa.
Ranch land west of Marfa.
Ranch land west of Marfa.
Another of town's claims to fame are the mysterious Marfa Lights.
Another of town's claims to fame are the mysterious Marfa Lights.
The lights can be seen across the Mitchell Flat east of town.
The lights can be seen across the Mitchell Flat east of town.
There's an official Marfa Lights viewing area on Highway 90, but their source remains a mystery.
There's an official Marfa Lights viewing area on Highway 90, but their source remains a mystery.
Marfa owes its current prominence in the art world to the late artist Donald Judd, who moved to the town in the 1970s.
Marfa owes its current prominence in the art world to the late artist Donald Judd, who moved to the town in the 1970s.
Judd bought up buildings and land around town to install his works and those of his friends and contemporaries.
Judd bought up buildings and land around town to install his works and those of his friends and contemporaries.
Today, the town of about 2000 people has become an internationally recognised centre for contemporary art.
Today, the town of about 2000 people has become an internationally recognised centre for contemporary art.
There are at least a dozen art galleries in Marfa today.
There are at least a dozen art galleries in Marfa today.
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.
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.
The landscape surrounding Marfa has an epic, cinematic quality.
The landscape surrounding Marfa has an epic, cinematic quality.
There's also a scattering of cutting-edge architectural designs among the mostly modest homes.
There's also a scattering of cutting-edge architectural designs among the mostly modest homes.
Prickly pear in Marfa.
Prickly pear in Marfa.
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.
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.
And then there are the spectacular sunsets...
And then there are the spectacular sunsets...

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