2024-02-22 Steele

BLACK HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHT:
THE STEELE COLLECTION AT HoMA

[February 22, 2024] The Rev. Deacon Robert “Bob” Steele and his wife Jean, who attend Holy Nativity Church in ʻĀina Haina, have recently donated African American prints to HoMA. In celebration of Black History month, the Retired Clergy Families paid a visit to view those prints in combination with their monthly luncheon gathering on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. The special outing was hosted by Bishop Bob Fitzpatrick.

The exhibition theme, Forward Together: African American prints from the Jean and Robert Steele Collection, comes from a work by Jacob Lawrence (pictured above left), which depicts the abolitionist Harriet Tubman guiding a group of Civil War freedom seekers through a treacherous journey north, via the Underground Railroad. It highlights a drive to move communities forward, in a spirit of social action and shared responsibility.

The Steele’s exhibition explores the development of printmaking, media techniques along with several stylistic approaches, including figuration, abstraction, dynamic line, expressive color and dynamic tonal interplays of black and white, and 20th century American art and visual culture.

Much of their collection remains in storage in Maryland. About 98% are prints, obtained at a time when printmaking was becoming a popular medium for African American artists. Art on paper, is more accessible and affordable, than paintings. -- Star Advertiser.

"Much mahalo to the Rev. Dr. Deacon Steele and wife Jean for giving these valuable prints to HoMA. One follows Black History all through the years—BUT to actually see these with the Steele’s narration — there is a most VISCERAL reaction and understanding. Most mind-boggling is 'Tar Beach' by Faith Ringgold — to discover that in the hot summers of NYC, one had to go to the building’s roof to 'breathe' some air, rather than go to a real beach! And the only freedom is to imagine oneself flying!!!” - Eugenia Park

As collectors, the Steeles have spent a lifetime supporting African American artists. From their collection, they have lent or given works to schools, universities, museums, galleries and institutions, such as the Mobile County Museum of Art, Morehouse College, Bishop John Walker School, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in College Park. Their collection was used to launch the University of Maryland’s David C. Driskell Center, and Bob became its Executive Director, where he served for 10 years.

This exhibition will be shown in two rotations with the first half on display from January 18-May 12, 2024, and the remaining works on view starting May 16-September 15, 2024.

"I just want to share my appreciation for the tremendous gift the Steeles have provided this community in presenting some of their collection of prints by African American artists to the Honolulu Museum of Art. We are so fortunate to have them as part of this diocese and members of Holy Nativity Church." - Alison Dingley

The Steeles: A Remarkable Journey Together

Robert Steele grew up in Alabama. When he was a Morehouse College student, he worked at the Atlanta University library, and would often visit the art gallery in its basement. “I didn’t know who any of these artists were,” he said, because at the time they were unknown to the major art world. The works, which he was viewing and enjoying, were prize-winning entries from a national competition for African American artists, organized because there was no other place where African American artists could work. -- Star Advertiser, 12/18/2023

Bob attended Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA, where he met his classmate, Jean. They were married at the end of his second year. He was ordained a deacon at Newark Cathedral.

Bob and Jean took an interest in visual arts early in their marriage. They spent many weekends going to art exhibitions. Eventually, they narrowed their interest to collecting “art on paper” (i.e., prints) by African American artists. Their first piece purchased, "Three African Women in Profile" was by artist Tony Northern, “who used pastels on the side of a cardboard box, so that the corrugation you’re seeing, is from the texture of that surface,” remarked Jean.

Bob became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Yale University in clinical/community psychology. At Yale, he was also the first African American on its Art Gallery Board where he served for 20 years. He and Jean later donated 100 African American prints to the gallery. In 2012, he received the Yale Medal, the highest alumni award.

At the University of Maryland, Bob taught in the Department of Psychology, and was later promoted as Associate Dean in the College of Behavioral and Social Science. He was also Director of the Office of Diversity Affairs at the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park.

Jean graduated from the College of William and Mary, with a double major in English and Education. In 1968, she earned her M.Div. from Episcopal Divinity School, and later served on its Board of Trustees. For five years, she was Director of Christian Education for Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven CT. Jean worked in the corporate world before retiring in 2010.

In 2016, the Steeles relocated to Honolulu (Jean’s family home), and became members of Holy Nativity Church. Jean serves as treasurer for the parish. Bob is Holy Nativity’s deacon. He also served on the Board of the Holy Nativity School.

Bob recently joined the Board at HoMA and the Steeles have chosen to donate 55-prints (by 25 artists, produced over four decades) to the Honolulu Museum of Arts, adding to HoMA’s already 33 pieces.

"I was grateful to the Bishop for a very nice lunch and the ability to be at HoMA. It is always good to see other artists' work for appreciation and variety. Also one learns what speaks to them regarding art. I have spent many hours visiting art museums and art shops during my lifetime and eventually found what kind of art appealed to me, resulting in my purchase of four original pieces." - Myrtle Kaneshiro

Special mahalo to the Rev. Canon Franklin Chun for his research for this article.
Photos: David Blanchett, Alison Dingley, Franklin Chun

BLACK HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHT:THE STEELE COLLECTION AT HoMA

The Steeles: A Remarkable Journey Together

BLACK HISTORY MONTH HIGHLIGHT:
THE STEELE COLLECTION AT HoMA