Mark Grotjahn was born in Pasadena, CA in 1968. He received his BFA from the University of Colorado, Boulder and his MFA from the University of California, Berkeley. He also attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Grotjahn’s oeuvre includes drawings, paintings, and sculpture. In the late 1990’s, Grotjahn began his “Butterfly” series, which began a complex study of perspective. These works are defined by their dynamic geometric patterns, that recede into deep vanishing points. He uses bold colors to create a color pallet that is vibrant yet simultaneously dark and bold. In these works, Grotjahn creates something entirely new, while referencing influences of Op Art and other art historical movements. Later in his career, by the early 2000’s, Grotajn began his “Face” and “Mask” series. These works are created in the same rich color palette, with similar themes of depth and perspective, yet here Grotjahn creates rounded, organic forms and lines. While the “Butterfly” series are composed of hard edges of sharp geometric patterns, the “Face” and “Mask” series are more figurative and flowing. Today, the artist lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.