MONTEREY, CA.- Monterey Museum of Art is now conducting the exhibition Mark Steven Greenfield: Hagiography, featuring a remarkable collection of recent works by the Southern California-based artist. Hagiography, deriving from the Greek words "hagio" (meaning "saintly" or "holy") and "graphy" (meaning "to write"), serves as the title for the upcoming exhibition of Mark Steven Greenfield’s work at the Monterey Museum of Art. Fittingly, the exhibition features selected works from two iconic series, Black Madonna and Halo.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Byzantine iconography, Mark Steven Greenfield adeptly subverts expectations and expands our understanding of history and identity. Greenfield reimagines historical depictions of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus in the Black Madonna series, infusing them with contemporary meaning and perspective. These compositions, influenced by Renaissance artists such as Giovanni Bellini, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raffaelo Sanzio (Raphael), challenge the norm by referencing depictions of Black Madonnas that emerged in Catholic churches across Medieval Europe during the 13th and 14th centuries.

The Black Madonna in Greenfield's art is portrayed as a heroine, embodying the unconditional love of a mother and child, while white supremacists appear as victims rather than oppressors in the background—prompting viewers to reconsider their perspectives. The Halo series presents a stunning ensemble of Black figures, many of whom were legendary and mythical characters in their time. However, their stories have largely been obscured by the biases and interpretations of history, often presented through a predominantly white lens.

Greenfield honors their memory by adorning these figures with halos, a symbol of reverence and respect. Each artwork in this series carries profound meaning, encouraging viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity and confront their own assumptions and biases, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of Black experiences and narratives. Through this poignant portrayal, Greenfield reclaims their history and bestows upon them the reverence they have long deserved.

Greenfield is set to debut a new masterpiece for the Hagiography exhibition. This remarkable painting, a second triptych, unfolds across three panels and brilliantly weaves together an Annunciation scene with elements of contemporary art and African American cultural traditions. The focal point rests on the central triptych panel, where the powerful depiction of the Annunciation takes center stage. Skillfully enhancing the narrative, the side panels offer contextual insights that enrich the viewer's experience. As an artist known for his distinctive style and unparalleled perspective, Mark Steven Greenfield undoubtedly infuses his interpretation of Christian theology with a captivating and fresh artistic vision.

For five decades, Mark Steven Greenfield has dedicated his career to illuminating racial inequities, stereotypes, and other oppression faced by African Americans and individuals of African descent. His profound ability to challenge conventional notions through art has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim, making him an influential force in the contemporary art world. Mark Steven Greenfield: Hagiography promises an enlightening and thought-provoking experience that celebrates the rich artistic heritage and resilience of the Black community.

Mark Steven Greenfield is a native Angeleno and the son of one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He spent many of his early years abroad living on air bases from Taiwan to Germany, returning to Los Angeles at age 10. As a student at Los Angeles High School, he studied under the revered artist John Riddle, who quickly noted Greenfield’s talent and recognized his vulnerability to the negative influences and dangers confronting most African American youth at the time. Riddle once remarked, “You could be a pretty good artist…. if you live that long”. This simple warning got Mark’s attention and set him on a course that would define his life.

Greenfield’s early development as an artist was accelerated through a series of Saturday art classes at Otis Art Institute taught by Riddle, Charles White, and Bill Pajaud. He frequented Brockman Gallery and Gallery Tanner where he met Samella Lewis, Betye Saar, Noah Purifoy, and John Outterbridge, whom he considers mentors. He received a bachelor’s in art education from California State University, Long Beach, in 1973 and a Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1987.

Greenfield’s works have been exhibited extensively throughout the United States, most notably at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, the California African American Museum, which presented a comprehensive survey of his work in 2014, and the Museum of Art and History twenty-year retrospective in 2021. Internationally he has exhibited at the Chiang Mai Art Museum in Thailand, at Art 1307 Villa Donato in Naples, Italy; the Blue Roof Museum in Chengdu, PRC; 1333 Arts, Tokyo, Japan; and the Gang Dong Arts Center in Seoul, South Korea.

Greenfield lives in Altadena, California and is represented by the William Turner Gallery.

Monterey Museum of Art
Mark Steven Greenfield: Hagiography
September 7th, 2023 - December 17th, 2023