In the 2000s, Mark Grotjahn's artistic practice saw significant development and recognition, with his work being showcased in prestigious venues like the UCLA Hammer Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Portland Art Museum. His pieces during this time continued to explore and expand upon themes of abstraction, figuration, perspective, and color, earning him a place in important collections such as the Broad Art Foundation and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Grotjahn's approach, often seen as a contemporary revisit to late Modernism, places him alongside artists like Tomma Abts and Wade Guyton, reflecting a deep engagement with the historical and perceptual dimensions of painting and sculpture (Wikipedia). One notable aspect of Grotjahn's work in the early 2000s is his "Butterfly" series, characterized by its intricate play with perspective and color, creating captivating optical illusions. These works are a testament to his ability to blend rigorous geometric compositions with a vibrant color palette, resulting in a dynamic visual experience that challenges traditional perspectives and embraces a form of abstraction that's both structured and spontaneous. This period also saw Grotjahn venturing into more gestural and expressive territories, leading to the creation of his "Face" paintings and subsequent "Mask" works, which further exemplify his exploration of form and identity through abstraction (artcritical) (Davis Art). Grotjahn's work during the 2000s not only highlights his formal and conceptual innovation but also his deep engagement with the material and cultural histories of painting. His art from this era, reflective of both meticulous planning and spontaneous execution, marks a significant contribution to contemporary abstraction, demonstrating a continuous interplay between the abstract and the figurative, the historical and the personal. This rich dialogue within his practice invites viewers to reconsider the potentials of painting and sculpture in the contemporary moment, situating Grotjahn as a critical figure in the ongoing evolution of abstract art (Wikipedia) (artcritical) (Davis Art).