Artists

Jonathan Green, was born and raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.  He is an international professional artist who graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1982.   Jonathan Green is considered by many art critics and reviewers as one of our nation’s most outstanding African-American artists and highly recognized visual master for capturing Southern culture and traditions.  His high level of social interest and cultural commitments, and exhibitions have brought him international recognition through his travels throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico the West Indies, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Japan. 

While his work has ranged in styles, his best known approach to painting may be termed "narrative realism."  It is through his narrative art style that Green captures and records his life experiences and the rich cultural heritage of the Gullah community in which he was raised.  It is Green's mastery of color and skillful use of the human figure, which allows him to preserve and share with the viewer a deep sense of community, and how the challenges of love, work and belonging are met.

As a result of his tremendous and prolific talent, Green’s work has been embraced by collectors and critics throughout the world. His paintings can be found in major museum and cultural collections in California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Japan, Germany, Brussels, and Sierra Leone.  Since 1982 Jonathan Green has received numerous honors and awards for art, social, civic, and cultural contributions.  He has received honorary doctor of art degrees from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC and the Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC for his capturing and recording Southern culture and history.

Some of the numerous awards he has received include The Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for Life Time Achievement, Columbia, SC 2010; Key of Life Award --- NAACP Image Awards, Los Angeles, CA 2009; Century of Achievement in Art Award, The Museum of Americas, Arlington, VA, 2003; Order of the Palmetto Civilian Award, Columbia, SC 2002, and The History Makers Award in Fine Arts, The History Makers National Archives, Chicago, IL 2001.

Mr. Green’s art has been incorporated into productions of ballet, music, theatre, literature, film, and video documentaries.  Currently Jonathan Green resides and paints in his studio located in Charleston’s island town of Daniel Island, South Carolina.