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MONTEREY, CA (December 18, 2024)— A bold new era of California art began when an increasingly diverse generation of artists adopted mid-century modernist aesthetics following World War II. The Monterey Museum of Art (MMA) 2025 Winter Season captures this exhilarating period with three new exhibitions featuring more than 25 modern and contemporary California artists who have been inspired by Mid-century Modern aesthetics. These include a 25^th anniversary reprisal of Jeff Becom's vibrant color photography paired with Lucas Blok's luminous color field paintings, the first survey of Morley Baer's iconic photos of Mid-century Modern architecture of Northern California, and a selection of the Museum's recent acquisitions including works by Judy Chicago, Demetri Broxton, and Amalia Mesa-Bains.

Corey Madden, MMA Executive Director, characterizes the season by noting, "After World War II, California architecture, design, art, and photography practitioners abandoned conservative aesthetics in favor of the innovative and elemental uses of color, line, and shape resulting in iconic styles and movements that continue to influence artists worldwide today."

Image Credits: Left: Lucas Blok (b. 1950), 7-1-18, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 84 in. Courtesy of the artist, all artworks © Lucas Blok. Right: Jeffrey Becom (b. 1953), Pink Door, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, 2008, archival pigment print, 30 x 45 in. Courtesy of Weston Gallery © Jeffrey Becom

MMA welcomes back local artists Jeffrey Becom and Lucas Blok to present The Persistence of Color II on the 25^th anniversary of their first MMA exhibition, also called The Persistence of Color. Demonstrating color's enduring power to shape our visual reality, this paired retrospective invites visitors to reflect on works from the original exhibition installed alongside new explorations. Madden also shares, "This exhibition is an exceptional opportunity to consider how one's experience of color evolves across time, place, medium, and creative perspective."

Influenced by his anthropological and architectural training, Jeffrey Becom's photography focuses on color's cultural narrative. "Painted façades from around the globe are the subject and color palette that inspire my artwork, and I seek to preserve their cultural history, myths, and meanings," Becom explains. His vibrantly colored photographs capture more than a visual narrative. They offer a deeper insight into the meaning and significance of color in a specific place and time.  

In contrast, Lucas Blok's artworks are absent of visual narrative and grounded in the elemental use of color. In paintings and light panels, viewers experience the emotional qualities of color, as well as how colors interact and shift in optical strength. "Ultimately, what one sees is the creation of the viewer" Blok remarks. Blok allows viewers to experience the rhythm, vibration, and spirit of color through simple compositions and experimental color interactions.

Becom and Blok echo this evolution. "I am delighted to reprise, commemorate, and build upon our earlier exhibition and installation" Becom notes. "Our work has progressed over the last quarter-century, but both of us have adhered faithfully to a direct and steady course of color investigation."

Curated by the artists, The Persistence of Color II: Works by Jeffrey Becom and Lucas Blok exemplifies the significance, power, and persistence of color. The artists' work demonstrates how color continues to create meaning and opportunities for introspection across time, place, and differing perspectives. The Persistence of Color II is on view from January 2 – April 27, 2025.

Support for this exhibition provided by Harriet (Incy) Brooks and Lynn and Michael Hayford. In addition to The Persistence of Color II: Works by Jeffrey Becom and Lucas Blok, MMA's Winter 2025 Exhibition Season includes:

Morley Baer: Modernism in Northern California Architecture  | On view January 16 – April 27, 2025

Support for this exhibition provided by Cynthia and Forrest Miller and Robin and Chris Sawyer.

Image Credit: Mark Mills House (I), Mission at 13th, Carmel, CA, 1953. By Morley Baer © 2025, the Morley Baer Photography Trust, Santa Fe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. 

Celebrating California Art: Recent Acquisitions | On view January 9 – July 20, 2025

Support for this exhibition provided by Susan DuCoeur and Judith M. Marshall.

Image Credit: Judy Chicago (b. 1939), Emblem, c. 1962–1964, acrylic on masonite, 42 x 42 in. Monterey Museum of Art; Purchase by exchange; gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bates, Mrs. J.B. Heywood, Elizabeth George Lawlor in memory of Dorothy George Meakin, William and Renee Petersen, Mr. and Mrs. John Shephard, Mr. and Mrs. E.V. Staude, Carolyn Lewis Nielson, Albert Denney, Nancy Stillwell Easterbrook, Margaret Wentworth Owings, Naedra B. Robinson, Elizabeth Tompkins, and an anonymous donor, 2019.001. © Judy Chicago/ ARS | Artist Rights Society, NY