Transcript Romare Bearden Born September 2, 1912 Charlotte, North

Romare Bearden
Born September 2, 1912
Charlotte, North Carolina
Died March 12, 1988
New York, New York
The Art of
Collage
Where his ideas come from
For Bearden, one of the most important aspects
of life and culture is ritual—the numerous
customs, ceremonies, and beliefs that are an
integral part of daily life.
The genius of Bearden is his ability to assimilate
the art of other people, filter it through the
African-American experience, and create an
original and universally understandable work of
art.
The Piano Lesson
When he turned to
collage as his primary
medium in 1963, he
found a language that
was innovative and that
eloquently served his
desire to represent black
American culture.
The Art of Romare Bearden
Morning
demonstrates Bearden's
interest in black genre
and is a testament not
only to his own memory
of family but to the
collective memory of
African American family
life. The rocking chair
and potbellied stove
lend an air of Americana
and squarely locate the
black family within the
realm of traditional
domesticity.
Pittsburgh
Memories
1984
Watching the Good Trains Go By
1964 Collage on paper
This particular
work refers to
his childhood,
when the artist
and his
grandfather
"would visit the
train station in
the evening to
watch the
good trains go
by."
Mississippi Monday, Collage, 17" x 21"
All Come Back (from Bayou Fever) gouache and watercolor on paper, 1979
Detail: Notice the ready-mades
Rocket to the Moon
1971
What was happening in
history at this time?
Black
Manhattan
Of the Blues: Carolina Shout, 1974
Over time Bearden's repertoire of collage materials expanded
to include strips of wallpaper, posters, fabrics, foils,
miscellaneous found materials, and paper he printed and
painted himself. To some areas he added spray paint; he
masked others to create crisp edges. In the 1970s Bearden
began to enhance the surface texture and color by using
abrasion, bleaching, and puddling techniques. Circular
markings on works of the 1970s were possibly made with an
Illusionist at 4 PM, paper collage on board,
30 by 40 inches, 1967. It sold for $44,650.
Melon
Season,
1967,
oil on
canvas
Spring Way, 1964
Tomorrow I May Be Far Away,
1967
Return of the Prodigal Son is part of a series
called The Prevalence of Ritual, created by
Bearden in the 1960s and 1970s. Most of the
images in the series are universal in theme, and
a number refer specifically to stories in the Bible.
The Prodigal Son was inspired by the blues,
from which he adopted values such as hope and
the existence of dignity in all subjects, even the
most downtrodden.
He said, "Even though you go through these
terrible experiences, you come out feeling good.
That’s what the blues say, and that’s what I
believe—life will prevail."
The Prodigal Son
Allow this work to be a healing
experience, because life will prevail
Bearden said, "Even though
you go through these terrible
experiences, you come out
feeling good. That’s what the
blues say, and that’s what I
believe—life will prevail."
Your Family Collage
Reveal or Conceal your experience
Single image
Color to emphasize a feeling
Must use:


Construction paper or tissue paper
Actual pictures
Photographs, magazines, or copied pictures

Ready-mades
Any unusual object such as fabric, cotton balls,
string, etc.
Exploration of Self
• The basis of most modern art involves reflecting,
narrating, projecting into the future, dreaming,
meditating, experimenting, destroying. Art is a
language, both personal and societal. When
you create art, you are not only learning a new
language, you are also leaning more about
yourself and your surroundings.
• Today you will tap into yourself, exploring,
investigating, and recording facets of your
psyche and identity. You will establish important
facets of yourself that you can effectively use in
collaboration with your artistic processes.
• Now you will have quiet meditation time.
• I will ask you a question and you will have a few
minutes to write your stream of consciousness
(what ever comes to your mind first). You may
also illustrate you response.
• What you write will be for your eyes ONLY.
Please do not ask to see anyone else's and do
not look at others writing.
• What is something your parents don’t
know about you?
• Think about something that has happened
to your family. Briefly write it down.
• Would you change it if you could?
• How has it affected you and your life?
• What do you like best about your family?
• What don’t you like about your family?
• How would you change it if you could?
• Describe a personality trait that inhibits (to
hold back or obstruct) your relationships.
• Personality traits are all the little things
that you do and think that make up who
you are.
• Describe a personality trait that enhances
(or add to) your relationships.
• What is your greatest personal
achievement?
• How did your family react to your
achievement?
• Write about the best time you ever had
with your family.
• Write about anything else you think is
important about your family. Answer the
question I didn't ask you.
• Please reread your answers and pick one
that you have a visual image for.
• Draw a 3 thumbnail sketches in your
sketchbook.
• Finalize one of the sketches, you will use
this drawing to create a collage.