Mark Tennant

Temporary exhibition

The MEAM is proud to present its upcoming exhibition dedicated to the distinguished painter Mark Tennant. An artist who offers us a unique, captivating perspective, firmly rooted in the classical artistic tradition.

Mark Tennant, educated in venerable institutions such as the Mayland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the New York Academy of Art, emerges as a contemporary master challenging prevailing trends. His distinguished career includes a tenure as the Director of the Painting Program at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and his works have been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Salon d’Automne in Paris.

Despite his adherence to traditional techniques, Tennant manages to surprise us with some of the most intriguing and relevant works in contemporary urban culture. His paintings, composed with broad brushstrokes and bold color areas, evoke echoes of Impressionism and capture the essence of early 20th-century avant-garde movements. Far from seeking realism, Tennant delves into conveying emotions implicit in colors and forms, illuminating captivating portraits of contemporary urban youth.

This exhibition invites us to immerse ourselves in the contrast between the classical and the contemporary, challenging the notion that only modern artistic movements can explore the richness of urban culture. Let us discover together how Tennant's mastery, rooted in art history, sheds new light on perspectives of city life. The exhibition will open on January 18, 2024, at the MEAM.

Don't miss this unique experience that defies expectations and celebrates the diversity of contemporary representational art!

Mark Tennant received a B.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art, in Baltimore, and an M.F.A. from the New York Academy of Art, in New York City. For the years 2008 and 2009, he was the Director of Graduate Fine Art Painting at Academy of Art University, in San Francisco, where he had been an instructor since 1998. Among other exhibitions, his paintings have twice been displayed in the Salon d’Automne, in Paris. He has taught Museum Copying at the Louvre, Paris, at the Metropolitan in New York, and the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.

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