In Memoriam, Mark Planisek, 1959–2009

On June 24, 2009, the National Portrait Gallery lost one of its sons. Mark Planisek succumbed to injuries he suffered after being struck by an automobile in Arlington, Virginia, on the night of Friday, June 19. Mark had been a museum technician and art handler at NPG since 1999.

“Everyone who knew Mark admired his enormous talent, warmth, and kindness,” said NPG Director Marty Sullivan. “We all feel devastated by this terrible tragedy. We share the grief of Mark’s family and the large circle of friends he treasured.”

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1959, Mark Planisek devoted his life to art. As a member of the National Portrait Gallery’s installation team, Mark was one of those personally responsible for the magnificently successful reopening of the Donald W. Reynolds Center in 2006.

Away from work, Mark had an international presence in the art world; his work has been exhibited in China, India, Germany, Canada, and throughout the United States. In 2006, Mark’s work was a juried choice admitted into the prestigious biennial in Florence, Italy. His awards were numerous, and his art was widely appreciated. A sampling of Mark's work can be viewed here and here.           

Since 2001, Mark had also been part of the local and national movements among American artists to develop portrait projects honoring the sacrifice of American servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. During the winter of 2004–5, he joined a number of local artists who were creating small paintings based on photographs of American service personnel killed since October 2001.

The project, called “Faces of the Fallen,” featured more than 1,300 portraits by hundreds of artists. Mark created thirteen paintings, all eight by six inches, in acrylic and mixed media on canvas. For all of this work, he and the other artists involved put aside any personal feelings about the war and concentrated on creating a meaningful memorial for the families. As Mark said, “I wanted to do this for the families. What began as a protest became a form of honor for these soldiers. Putting a face with a name has so much more impact than seeing a name by itself.”

All of the artists who participated in “Faces of the Fallen” gave the portraits to the families. In 2007, Mark created two more paintings, which became part of a permanent memorial at the naval amphibious base in Coronado, California, to honor two Navy SEALS who died in Iraq in 2006.

Mark leaves behind many friends among his colleagues. Molly Grimsley, NPG registrar, said yesterday, “Mark was a very gentle, kind soul, who brought me happiness and encouragement whenever I saw him. I’ll miss him greatly.”

Read more memories of Mark on the DC Arts Center website and the Art and Art Handling blog. 

Comments

[Joe McKenna]

The DC area is more or less my home town, and I'd been back there for close to 25 years. I got to know Mark about 1990, when we both became members of the Touchstone Gallery, and my contact with him was regular unitl I vacated DC for a Residency in SW Iowa last November. I learned of his passing through an email, about a week after this tragedy. I was able to brag to family and other friends that I knew the guy who installed the Obama portrait, but that picture is now difficult for me to look at.
Because of personal associations I ended up making, the phrase "HOPE" seems misplaced.

Mark's a great guy, down-to earth and accepting of everyone. I sometimes envied him for being more 'inside' DC's art scene than I was, but my job, a good one all in all, had me outside that sphere of influence.

He put alot into his art AND into being an artist; not an easy thing to do in DC. He got forced out of studios regularly but never let that stop him from keeping his hat in that ring. I, on the other hand, thought I'd have better luck away from there, and jumped at the first chance to do that.

I know those who continued to see him everyday must be hit harder by this, and I certainly feel for all who are in that situation. Mark just can't be replaced.

[Stuart Greenwell]

I wrote a tribute to Mark which has already been shared pretty widely from my Facebook page (about 750 hits in 5 days) but I thought I'd post it here in case others would like to read it. I think the number of people reading this tribute is, in an of itself, a tribute to Mark's influence on those he met.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/16755607/Mark-Planisek

[Leslie Harmon]

My husband and I are devastated. We work with Mark's brother, Mike, in Cleveland, and we had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Mark last fall, when he presented us with a portrait of my late stepson, Joshua Harmon, who we lost in Iraq on August 22, 2007 Mark had a profound empathy and respect for those serving in the military, as well as their families. His humility was astounding, the portrait was truly from his heart. We will treasure it forever. Mark was a true pleasure, the kind of person you like instantly, down to earth and very interesting. At the time we met Mark, we had a trip planned to DC for a ceremony at Arlington for Joshua, and without hesitation Mark offered to show us around during our visit. As it turned out the trip was cancelled, but Mark kept in regular contact via email. We know that words are so empty at this time, as we continue to keep Mark, Anne, his family, and many friends, in our thoughts and prayers.
Our deepest sympathy
Leslie and Rich Harmon

[Donna Iskra (Nelson)]

My sister Sue happened to see the obituary in the local paper where we grew up with Mark. I went to grade school with him. Always remembering his artistic ability beyond his age and a humble attitude. Surely his laugh was unmistakeable and would cause more laughter because of it. We continued into high school. He would come with Nick and his brother to hang out on Lynn Dr. and down by the crick. Lots of fun and memories. Prayers for his family and brother Micky. Donna Iskra(Nelson)