Jamie Greenfield
CATHEXIS, 2014
When asked to conceive of a painting for the Marletta Conference Room in Fredonia’s new Science Center, my initial response was to find a way to marry two important elements in one large composition. First, and importantly, making use of scientific imagery directly related to Dr. Marletta’s groundbreaking research in molecular biology; and second, referencing the Fredonia landscape and elements of nature that so profoundly affected me as a young college student coming from New York City.
The form of the triptych, or three-panel painting, just seemed right for the image I developed. Along with the very large sunflower in the foreground, and the Fredonia vineyard in the background, there are elements that are personal as well: the pearls in the pod-like form in the right-hand panel, and the three life stages of the moth in the center panel (larva, caterpillar, and adult) working their way upward. Perhaps both of these allude in some way to the intense period of personal growth and development that I experienced in college.
The title CATHEXIS is a wonderful word that I happened by chance to come across while I was thinking about this project. It is defined as “the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.” This perfectly defined my relationship to the project, encompassing the friendships made and landscape loved, and I am truly thankful for the generosity of the donors and the University for allowing me to have a part of myself remain there.
JAMIE GREENFIELD was born in New York City. She graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, and received her Master’s degree in Fine Art from the State University of New York at Albany.
She has taught studio art and art history at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey since 1988, where she holds the George R. Bunn ‘34 Family Distinguished Teaching Chair, and is Director of the School’s Marguerite & James Hutchins Gallery.
She has taught art at SUNY Albany and at the Albany Academy for Girls, and worked as an antique porcelain restoration artist in Philadelphia. Having exhibited throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, Greenfield’s work is included in the public collections of the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Rider University, the Wm. & Uytendale Scott Memorial Study Collection at Bryn Mawr College, the University of Delaware, The College of New Jersey, SUNY Albany, and the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Her website can be viewed at www.jamiegreenfield.com