Mario Moore is a Detroit-based artist who reveals Black history alongside the pressing concerns of the present moment through his highly realistic portraits. ​“I’m always trying to bridge the gap between the past and the present,” Moore says. ​“I’m always interested in making my work appear as democratic as possible, meaning that people from all walks of life, no matter who they are, can relate to my work.” His figures, often his own friends and family, exude power, dignity, and presence. 

Pillars of the Frontier (2024) comes from Moore’s series, A New Frontier, which unearths the forgotten history of enslaved Black labor in the Detroit fur trade. Moore’s paintings connect contemporary Detroiter’s love of fur to the past labor of enslaved Black bodies exploited to harvest, process, and transport those same furs. The paintings in this series imagine a liminal space between these two time periods, celebrating the contemporary subjects while acknowledging the legacy and labor of their enslaved Black ancestors. The work honors Black women as pillars of our society across centuries. For Moore, they are mentors, muses, and heroic figures in their own right.

Pillars of the Frontier captures the strength, elegance, and resilience of Black women across generations. Set against a snowy Michigan landscape, the composition features five of the most important women in the artist’s life, each radiating an aura of warmth and self-assuredness. On the far left is Moore’s paternal grandmother Helen Moore, next to his older sister, Denise Diop; standing regally in the center is Moore’s wife, the artist and filmmaker Danielle Eliska. To her right is Moore’s mother, the artist Sabrina Nelson, her gaze intent upon the viewer while she sketches. Seated on the far right is Moore’s maternal grandmother, Yvette Ivie, looking proudly at the women around her. 

The purchase of Mario Moore’s Pillars of the Frontier was made possible by the North Star Legacy Group. Named for the guiding star of the Underground Railroad, the North Star Art Legacy Group was created to support the acquisition of art by Black artists.

Contributions of $2,500+

• Khan and Liza Nedd
• Tasha and Will Blackmon
• Bill and India Manns

Contributions of $1,000+

• Luis and Amanda Avila
• Hayden Boyce, MD and Marcia Boyce
• Kenyatta and Tracey Brame
• Khary Bridgewater and Jennifer McCormick-Bridgewater
• Mark Frank and Denise Crawford
• Carlos and Terri Cubia
• Andre and Nicole Dandridge
• Paul and Celeste Doyle
• Stephen and Clarice Drew
• Exploratory Committee for Exemplary Women
• Arlen and LaSandra Gaddy 
• Michael and Jennifer Hawkins 
• Westly A. Johnson and Savator Selden-Johnson
• Karen M. Kennedy M.D.
• Anthony and Lisa King
• Kyla King & Nathan Kukla
• Dr. Lisa Lowery
• Brad and Andola Mathis
• Nathaniel and Laura Moody
• Carla Moore
• Ray and Tenicia Moulden
• Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik
• Bill and Lori Pink
• Daryl and Debra Reece
• Chris and Kelli Smith
• Stephen and Taylor Smith — Muse GR
• Clara and Joe Stewart
• Dr. Herman and Roslyn Sullivan
• Eddie T.L. Tadlock
• Alex & Brittany Thibodeau
• LaTarro Traylor
• Robert and Shana Washington 
• Dr. and Mrs. Joel Westra
• Daniel and Kaellen Williams 

Supporting Contributions

• Rehema Barber
• Jim Schipper and Jane Frey
• Jason and Marjorie George
• James Liggins
• Tonja and Lee Moyer
• Ardina and Mark Washington
• Tim and Shoran Williams 
• Demetrias Wolverton