Mark Steven Greenfield: The Man Who Addresses the Untold

Mark Steven Greenfield: The Man Who Addresses the Untold

By Micheal Huynh
May 10, 2021


Mark Steven Greenfield is well known for his artworks that embody the complexities of the    African American communities. His subject matter encompasses themes as diverse as African American stereotypes, social justice, meditative practices, and abstraction of his mental images. During his artist talk at the California State University of Fullerton on February 26, 2021, he discussed his works and the current trends in the art world.

Mark Steven Greenfield, Mr Popo and the Poppies of Forgetfulness, Part of the Series "Animalicious", (2012)

Greenfield discussed one of his iconic series, "Animalicious (2012)." He appropriates stereotyped, black-faced characters portrayed in animation. Most of the series' works contain a character from a popular animation character and combine them with his mental image interpretation. Hence, he reveals why these racist representations bring up the black-faced character appropriate and should be erased from an educational standpoint. For Greenfield response was that this imagery needs to be addressed in school because they are not inappropriate in his opinion; that interpretation is "historical facts that need to be acknowledged", and they are "facts that cannot be buried." It is apparent in today society, where every topic regarding the racial issue is extraordinarily volatile, and most of the population tend to avoid discussing them. According to the artist Greenfield, avoiding the discussion of race is similar to attempting to bury the issue. Rather than sugar-coating it, he argues that the issue needs to be addressed directly rather than sugarcoat. He also instructed the audience on how to address the issue regarding racial complexities: "do not go to a community and work as a missionary," Greenfield stated. When attempting to represent a community, the first and foremost thing is listening to the people in the community; listen to their wishes.

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Mark Steven Greenfield, Bad Apples, part of the series "Black Madonna", 2019.

Greenfield also discusses how he combats white supremacy through his art, evokes the black figure in art culture, and pays tribute to Renaissance paintings. The series "Black Madonna" is Greenfield's responses to the racial tension caused by radical white supremacy. Greenfield borrowed the theme and motifs of Madonna's Renaissance painting and portrayed them as a black female, donning the saintly robes and caring for their infants. At the same time, white supremacy is eradicated as a background. The painting in the series, accompanied by Greenfield's signature pattern from his meditative state, creates a compelling composition that questions the audience. Where can you draw the line for violence? 

When an artwork piece is supposed to represent a community, it must be respectful to the community in particular self. Even if the outsiders might perceive the final art product as inappropriate, and the artist might face backslash or even boycott, the reaction from outsiders should not hinder the artist's original vision. As Greenfield stated, "if art is not bothering you, it is not working."


Sources:

http://www.markstevengreenfield.com/work#/animalicious/

http://www.markstevengreenfield.com/work#/blackatcha/


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