Musings | Fall/Winter 2023 Newsletter

Musings...

NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 2023

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

TSHERIN SHERPA

MARK STEVEN GREENFIELD

SACRED ENCOUNTERS

NOCTURNES

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT

COLLECTION HIGHLIGHT

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monterey Museum of Art

Musings...

Musings is a seasonal publication from the Monterey Museum of Art.

Our Mission

The Monterey Museum of Art cultivates curiosity in the visual arts and engages community with the diversity of California art—past, present, and future.

Our Vision

The Monterey Museum of Art is a collaborative center where art and community engage.

Board of Trustees

Thomas Donnelly

President

John A. Greenwald President Emeritus

Lisa Rheinheimer

Treasurer

Adriana Hayward, Psy.D. Secretary

Monika Campbell

Laura Gamble

Kristen Huston

Heidi Quinn

Caroline Scott Low

DeBorah Silguero, Ph.D.

Eric C. Smith

Lila Thorsen, Ph.D.

William G. Hyland

Trustee Emeritus

Craig L. Johnson

Trustee Emeritus

©Monterey Museum of Art, Published September 2023

To report a misprint or error, please contact pr@montereyart.org

Museum Hours

Thursdays – Sundays (11:00 am – 5:00 pm)

Visit montereyart.org for tickets and more information.

Cover Image

Tsherin Sherpa (b. 1968), Sky Walker (Dakini), 2021, gold leaf, acrylic and ink on canvas, 54 x 42 in. The KaoWilliams Family Collection. ©Tsherin Sherpa.

Photo: Patrick Tregenza

Photo

From the Executive Director

Art, Spirituality, and the Legacy of Cultural Narratives

Vacations often provide not just an escape but an opportunity for introspection. This summer, while driving across France with my son, from Brussels to iconic regions such as Champagne and the Loire Valley, a thought consistently lingered in my mind: Why does American culture, with its boundless wonders, also possess such staggering inconsistencies?

France, with its majestic pre-Christian sites, medieval cathedrals, and 19th-century chateaus, presented a canvas of consistent beauty. A poignant moment was my visit to Carnac in Brittany. Here, ancient stones, likely positioned for spiritual reasons, stretch over four miles, bearing testament to a civilization long gone. I was struck by the realization of how conquest and religion have undeniably sculpted the art and culture I was experiencing.

Reflecting upon France’s history, it's evident that for 1700 years post the Roman conquest, the Catholic church had its reins tightly wound around the country's artistic expression. It took secularism, formalized in 1905, to liberate French art, allowing for movements such as Impressionism and Cubism to flourish. In stark contrast, America’s foundational principles of religious freedom and free expression have been in place for nearly 250 years, acting as a catalyst for our unique cultural evolution.

Returning to the U.S., I became acutely aware of the profound significance our democratic foundations and their ripple effects have had on global art and culture. The Monterey region, historically a hub for artists and spiritual seekers, exemplifies this dynamic confluence. With influences from indigenous art to Asian aesthetics, Thoreauvian transcendentalism, and 20th-century global revolutions, California's artistic tapestry is dazzlingly diverse.

MMA's Fall Season is a testament to this diversity. We proudly present a curated collection of exhibitions, capturing art's intersections with spirituality. Artists such as Tsherin Sherpa, with his inventive renditions of Buddhist imagery, showcase how tradition and globalization can meld to create thought-provoking art.

As we embark on the Fall Season at MMA, I extend this invitation to engage, to reflect, and to explore one's own spiritual and creative journey. The displayed artworks beckon every viewer to delve deep to appreciate the intertwined tales of art, history, and spirituality – not just of California but of our global heritage.

In this evolving dance of art and spirituality, our collective responsibility is clear: to honor and ensure that diverse voices, both past and present, continue to shape our shared artistic culture, dialogue, and heritage.

Looking forward,

Corey Madden Executive Director, Monterey Museum of Art

Photo: Patrick Tregenza

Photo

Presenting Fall 2023

This season, we present an extraordinary journey through four new exhibitions exploring spirituality, cultural identity, and the interconnectedness of human experience.

Images: Tsherin Sherpa (b. 1968), Untitled (detail), 2017, platinum leaf, gold leaf, acrylic and ink on canvas, diptych, 48 x 72 in. (overall). The KaoWilliams Family Collection. ©Tsherin Sherpa. Mark Steven Greenfield (b. 1951), Saint Moses the Black, 2020, acrylic and gold leaf on wood panel, 36 x 24 in. Courtesy of William Turner Gallery. John Marion Wimberley (b. 1945), Descending Angel, 1981, gelatin silver print, 19.5 x 13.75 in. Collection Monterey Museum of Art. Gift of the artist, 1995.016. Armin C. Hansen (1886-1957), The Clipper (aka Clipper in Moonlight), ca. 1947, oil on board, 40.25 x 50 in. Collection Monterey Museum of Art. Gift of Jane and Justin Dart, 1991.207. © Estate of Armin C. Hansen.

Tsherin DifferentSherpa:Worlds

September

7 — November 26, 2023

Tsherin Sherpa: Different Worlds invites viewers to embark on an extraordinary voyage through the creative vision of master artist Tsherin Sherpa (b. 1968). Set against the backdrop of California's contemporary art scene, this exhibition unveils a realm where traditional and modern aesthetics seamlessly intertwine, narrating a captivating tale of artistic heritage bridging two contrasting worlds.

Born in Nepal, Tsherin Sherpa emerged as a prodigious talent, drawing inspiration from his deeprooted heritage and profound spiritual connections to craft his artistic tapestry. Fueled by rigorous training in thangka painting techniques and Buddhist philosophy, his artistic odyssey took an unforeseen twist upon his relocation to the United States in the early 2000s. Different Worlds chronicles Sherpa’s pivotal creative transformation, triggered by his

encounter with the vibrant world of contemporary art and diverse cultural influences. Straddling the different cultural spheres of the Bay Area and Kathmandu, Sherpa developed a distinctive artistic approach, adeptly merging the age-old with the contemporary.

Through vibrant portraiture and multi-layered symbolism, Sherpa invites viewers to delve into the universal facets of existence while celebrating the kaleidoscope of cultural diversity. The exhibition is a testament to the power of artistic evolution and cultural harmony, reminding us that even in this vastly diverse world, there is a shared thread that connects us all.

Tsherin Sherpa: Different Worlds will travel to the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art in January 2024.

Tsherin Sherpa (b. 1968), Seeds of Compassion (detail), 2014, acrylic and ink on canvas, 48 x 48 in. The KaoWilliams Family Collection. © Tsherin Sherpa

Mark Steven Greenfield: Hagiography

September 7 — December 17, 2023

Mark Steven Greenfield: Hagiography invites audiences to experience the intersection of racial identity, artistic mastery, and cultural heritage unfold in vivid and thought-provoking ways. This exhibition features works by Los Angeles native, Mark Steven Greenfield (b. 1951), who for over five decades has embraced his role as an artist to tell the stories of marginalized voices, particularly African Americans and those of African descent. His commitment to addressing racial inequities, dismantling stereotypes, and shedding light on acts of oppression has given birth to bodies of work that challenge conventions and elevate the discourse on Black identity.

The exhibition features a carefully curated selection from Greenfield's renowned Black Madonna and Halo series. Black Madonna reshapes historical representations of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus by infusing them with contemporary relevance. The artist's interpretation transforms the Madonna into a symbol of strength and maternal love, while also confronting the backdrop of white supremacists, positioning them as victims rather than oppressors. The result is an arresting composition that challenges preconceived notions and sparks conversations around alternative perspectives.

The Halo series continues to captivate viewers

with a gallery of remarkable Black figures, once legendary and mythic, now revitalized by Greenfield's deft brush. These often-overlooked characters are adorned with halos, honoring their significance, and shining a light on their stories, which history has often obscured. With each halo,

Greenfield reclaims narratives, encouraging us to question our understanding of history's events as seen through predominantly white lenses.

Greenfield's intricate artworks challenge us to engage in crucial conversations, embrace nuance,

and open our hearts to new perspectives. Through his art, the past is reexamined, the present redefined, and the future reimagined.

Mark Steven Greenfield (b. 1951), Califia, 2022, gold leaf and acrylic on wood panel, 30 x 56 in. Courtesy of William Turner Gallery, Santa Monica, CA. ©Mark Steven Greenfield.

Sacred Encounters

September 7 — December 17, 2023

"Human beings have always asked big questions. We ask in order to understand the meaning of life, the nature of reality, the reasons for evil, the cause of aging and death. Such questions lay at the heart of human experience, and shape the core of who we are. They give rise to our desire for connection to something greater than ourselves. In our quest for answers we develop rituals and belief systems, we build monuments and create cultures. We discover what has meaning and what we hold sacred."

—Guest Curator, Helaine Glick

Sacred Encounters is an enlightening exhibition that explores the very essence of human existence and what we hold sacred. Transcending the boundaries of time, space, and belief, this exhibition beckons us to embark on a visual pilgrimage, tracing the evolution of our profound inquiries about humanity and the creative responses they elicit.

In partnership with the Monterey Museum of Art, curator Helaine Glick compiled an extraordinary collection of photographic treasures that span eras and perspectives from both the Museum’s permanent collection and a carefully selected group of California photographers. These captivating images offer a mosaic of interpretations, as diverse

in technique as they are in the photographers' explorations of the sacred. Each photograph presented is not only a visual masterpiece, but a testament to the photographer's personal journey in pursuit of understanding. Through the lens of a camera, the sacred becomes tangible, unfolding in myriad ways.

Sacred Encounters harmoniously weaves together the threads of human curiosity, spirituality, and creative expression. The exhibition encapsulates the ways that these artists have found solace, meaning, and connection through their art, forging a profound bridge between the sacred and the visual.

Featured Photographers

Ansel Adams

Morley Baer

Martha Casanave

Linda Connor

Edward Curtis

Eduardo Fujii

J.M. Golding

Michael Kenna

Roman Loranc

Tom Millea

Richard Murai

Nadezda Nikolova

Manuello Paganelli

Kenneth Parker

Franco Salmoiraghi

John Marion Wimberley

Kenneth Parker (b. 1953), Thatbyinnyu Stupas, Sinmyarshin Pagodas; Bagan, Myanmar, 2004, archival pigment, Courtesy of Weston Gallery. ©Kenneth Parker.

In the Still of the Night: Nocturnes

September 7 — December 17, 2023

The Monterey Museum of Art proudly presents In the Still of the Night: Nocturnes, a captivating exhibition that transports audiences through an exploration of nighttime scenes. These works, selected from the Museum’s permanent collection, showcase the evolution of artists' interpretations of the night, revealing the captivating mysteries and serenity that have been both a muse and a challenge to generations of creative minds. Through the eyes of masters like Charles Rollo Peters, Will Sparks, and Jules Tavernier, we rediscover the moonlit landscapes, ethereal constellations, and tranquil nightscapes they experienced during the late-nineteenth century. However, this exhibition is not just a glimpse into the past—it's a revelation of the present and future, too.

The passage of time has brought new illuminations and challenges. Twentieth century artists like Barry Masteller and Roland Petersen navigate urban lights and artificial colors in cityscapes dancing with unnatural hues. From painters to printmakers and photographers, creatives like Gene Kloss, Jeanette Maxfield Lewis, Anne Brigman, and Ansel Adams capture the night's enigmatic theatricality and pristine tranquility, each with their unique approach.

In the Still of the Night: Nocturnes illuminates the timeless, yet evolving, bond between artists, nature, and the skies that have captured their imaginations throughout time.

Jules Tavernier (1844-1889), Miner's Cabin, ca. 1872, oil on canvas, 29.5 x 21.25 in. Collection Monterey Museum of Art. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony White, 1977.073.

Artist Highlight

Abira Ali

This October, our Currents gallery is set to showcase the Nest Portraits series by the Los Angeles-based artist, Abira Ali. Drawing from the meticulous craftsmanship of bird nests, Ali weaves a tale of nature’s individuality, creativity, and serendipity. As she eloquently states, "Birds build with what they find, artists find with what they build." Each portrait, according to Ali, is an intimate portrayal — a reflection not only of various urban bird species but also of the profound connection she feels to these structures. The series resonates deeply with Ali's personal journey as an 'empty nester' with a passion for nesting. Through her work, she attempts to encapsulate the intricate dance of twigs, grass, and tiny debris that make up these nests, resulting in a touching tribute to the underrated beauty of birds’ common handiwork.

Mark your calendars for MMA’s inaugural presentation of Iluminado on December 1, 2023, for which Abira Ali will serve as creative director. This annual holiday program is an interactive public art installation celebrating a blend of themes, namely, community, reflection, light, and memory. Iluminado is an invitation for artists across all skill levels to converge, culminating in a vibrant Winter Art Market, a Winter Solstice Party, and a plethora of memorable events.

Abira Ali (b. 1961), Robin's Nest, 2023, oil and acrylic on canvas tarp, 54 x 54 in. Courtesy of the artist.

Acquisition Highlight

Henrietta Shore's Rocks, Point Lobos

It would be difficult to overstate the significance of Henrietta Shore (1880-1963) to the arthistorical narrative of the Monterey Peninsula. In her time, she was spoken of in the same breath as groundbreaking artists like Georgia O’Keeffe (with whom she studied and exhibited in New York), and her close friendship with renowned photographer Edward Weston is said to have helped set the course for his legendary career. Yet despite her reputation, Shore was not a great self-promoter, and today very little of her work is to be found

on the open market. So, it was with great excitement that in the course of research we discovered and have happily since acquired the masterful drawing, Rocks, Point Lobos (ca. 1930) from a prominent East Coast gallery. The drawing is one in a series of works (mostly since lost) the artist made upon relocating to Carmel from New York, via Mexico, around 1930. Having been enchanted by the dramatic images of the rocky Point Lobos coastline that Weston shared with Shore prior to her arrival in Carmel, and which they subsequently explored together

by car, she captured their essence and imbued them with something like a spiritual inner life. In a rare quote from 1933 cited in the Museum’s catalogue, Shore said “To be true to nature one must abstract. Nature does not waste her forms. If you would know the clouds – then study the rocks.”

The resulting drawings were said to represent the culmination of her unique personal style and its near anthropomorphic rendering of the natural world, and we are truly fortunate to be able preserve this rare example of her work for our community.

Image: Henrietta Shore (1880-1963), Rocks, Point Lobos (detail), ca. 1930, colored pencil on paper, 9.75 x 14.25 in. Collection Monterey Museum of Art. Museum purchase by exchange; gift of Hamilton Anderson, Albert Denney, Marita Biven and Michael Howard in memory of Marcela Zabala Howard Fenton, Austin Frey, Betty B. Gould, Mrs. J.B. Heywood, Mrs. Albert Tomblin and Norman S. Parker, 2023.009.

Acknowledgements

June 1 – September 21, 2023

Thank you so much to the individuals, foundations, corporations, and organizations that have generously supported the Museum over the past several months. We are honored by your trust in us and your belief in our mission, and we are grateful to you all for making our work possible.

Art Advocates and Donor Circle

Thomas and Judith Archibald

Brian and Sandra Berris

Martha Casanave

Michael and Soraya Cayen

Diane and Jim Coward

Duda Farms Fresh Food

William G. and Nancy Doolittle

Jeannette and Don Fowler

Lynn and Michael Hayford

Noelle Hetz

Valera Lyles

Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services in Memory of Helen Bruton

William and Susan Montgomery

M. Power

Suzanne Taunt

Lila Thorsen, Ph.D.

Rolf and Darleen Trautsch

Corinne Whitaker

Fall Exhibition Grand Patrons

Laura and John Gamble

Fall Exhibition Patrons

John and Carol Greenwald

Adriana and Bill Hayward

Lila and James Thorsen

Fall Fundraiser Patrons

Craig and Christine Johnson

David and Linda Keaton

Caroline Scott Low and Graham Low

Jana and Steven Magginetti

Fall Fundraiser Business Sponsors

Blink Optometry, Carmel Clifton, Larson, Allen, LLP

Jaqueline Adams Homes, Sotheby’s International Realty

Fall Fundraiser Gifts In-Kind

Albatross Ridge

East Village Café, Monterey

Judith and Frank Marshall

KAZU

KSBW 8

Middlebury Institute of International Studies

Tsherin Sherpa

Winter Exhibition Patrons

Alta Med Health Services

Arts Council for Monterey County

Richard Carr and Barbara Schilling

Jacalyn June Horton

Grant Supporters

Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce

Manitou Fund

Monterey Peninsula Foundation

Pebble Beach Company Foundation

Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop

To learn about how you can support MMA or to make a gift, visit montereyart.org/support/donate/, email us at advancement@monterey.org, or call us at 831.372.5477 x104.

Photo: Patrick Tregenza

Photo

Upcoming Events at MMA Join Us

Please visit montereyart.org for tickets and important updates.

Sept 24

Oct 1

Oct 6

Oct 7

Oct 8

Oct 14

Oct 15

Oct 22

Oct 27

Oct 28

Oct 29

Nov 3

Nov 5

Nov 12

Nov 18

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

First Friday 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Free Family Fun Day: Different Worlds 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Exhibitions Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Afternoon with the Artist: Mark Steven Greenfield

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Exhibitions Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Exhibitions Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

La Mirada Halloween Bash

6:00 – 9:00 pm

Free Family Fun Day: Spooktacular

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Exhibitions Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

First Friday

5:00 – 7:00 pm

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Afternoon with the Curator: Helaine Glick + Photographers

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Nov 19

Nov 26

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Dec 1 First Friday

5:00 – 8:00 pm

Dec 2 Free Family Fun Day: Iluminado 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Dec 3

Arts and Healing Program

9:30 – 11:00 am

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Dec 7

Dec 8

Dec 10

Christmas in the Adobes with Luminaria Decorating

2:00 – 5:00 pm

Christmas in the Adobes with Luminaria Decorating 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Arts and Healing Program

9:30 – 11:00 am

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Dec 16

Dec 17

Winter Market and Artist Workshop Demo 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Arts and Healing Program

9:30 – 11:00 am

Exhibition Insights Tour

2:00 – 3:00 pm

Dec 21

Dec 22

Mini Ornament Painting 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Iluminado Winter Solstice Celebration

5:30 – 7:30 pm

Photo: Patrick Tregenza Photo

Winter 2023 Exhibitions

Please visit montereyart.org for tickets and important updates.

Exhibitions opening January 2024 will explore aspects of identity, migration, and cultural reclamation through the scope of diverse and talented artists. Our winter season will feature selections from the Duron Family Collection—a private collection of multimedia works made by Chicana/o/x artists in Southern California—and photography showcasing the works of Joe Ramos (b. 1949) and Dorothea Lange (1895-1965). Additionally, we will showcase artworks from our permanent collection that rage from the Works Progress Administration era to the present day. These pieces capture scenes of agriculture, ranching, and labor that hold deep resonance with the local area.