Romare Bearden's Southern Sensibility

Summary

This video explores the life and legacy of artist Romare Bearden, whose roots in North Carolina and experiences during the Harlem Renaissance shaped his art. Bearden's works are steeped in memory, myth, and ritual, reflecting his unique perspective on African-American culture and history. The video highlights the impact of his contributions to visual arts, the formation of the Romare Bearden Foundation, and its educational initiatives. It underscores Bearden's enduring influence on contemporary artists and his significant role in shaping the public’s understanding of African-American artistry and culture through exhibitions, symposiums, and programs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rome Bearden's artistic roots are deeply connected to his childhood in North Carolina, where he witnessed the cultural shifts brought by Jim Crow laws and the impact of trains symbolizing the encroachment of modernity.
• 😀 Bearden's family experienced a migration northward, seeking greater opportunities and freedom in New York City, where Bearden grew up surrounded by the cultural vibrancy of the Harlem Renaissance.
• 😀 Despite moving away from Charlotte, Bearden’s memories of his Southern roots, particularly the rituals, mythologies, and celebrations of his youth, consistently informed his artwork throughout his life.
• 😀 The painting *The Conjurer* by Bearden encapsulates his complex feelings about the spiritual and mystical traditions that shaped his upbringing, expressing both magic and reality in his art.
• 😀 Bearden’s art deals with universal themes of myth, ritual, beauty, desire, and tenacity, creating an intimate portrait of life in the South, while also making the Southern experience resonate with broader cultural significance.
• 😀 The Rome Bearden Foundation, established in 1990, has worked to preserve and promote Bearden’s legacy, offering scholarships, development workshops, and national symposia for artists and scholars.
• 😀 The Foundation’s *Bearden National Symposium* advances critical new scholarship to assess and reassess Bearden’s art and life, with events such as the 2009 symposium in Pittsburgh, which was a key moment in the ongoing dialogue around his work.
• 😀 In 2003, the National Gallery of Art hosted the first-ever retrospective of Bearden's work, an important milestone for African-American artists in American art history, with subsequent exhibitions traveling nationwide.
• 😀 The Foundation has focused on creating educational initiatives, such as *Rome Bearden in the Classroom*, a visual arts curriculum aimed at inspiring young people and teaching them about the contributions of African-American artists.
• 😀 Bearden’s ability to represent universal human experiences and emotional depth through his artwork places him among the most significant artists of the 20th century, whose legacy is still shaping new generations of artists and art lovers.

Q & A

What is the significance of North Carolina in Romare Bearden's life and art?

North Carolina holds a foundational place in Bearden's life, as his roots are there. He paints memories of the South, particularly those from his childhood in Mecklenburg County, where he witnessed a dynamic cultural and social landscape before Jim Crow laws disrupted the region.

How did Bearden's family history and upbringing influence his art?

Bearden was born into a prominent family in Charlotte, North Carolina, where his grandparents owned property and a grocery store. This middle-class background provided him with a rich cultural environment, which he later drew upon in his art, blending personal memory with broader cultural themes.

What role did the train symbolize in Bearden's work?

For Bearden, the train symbolized the encroachment of an 'other civilization' that impacted the lives of Black people. It represented both a means of escape and the larger forces shaping the lives of African Americans during that period.

How did Bearden's early experiences in the South influence his later works in New York?

Bearden’s early experiences in the South left an indelible mark on his art. Although he moved to New York as a young child, he spent summers in North Carolina, and these memories became a constant source of inspiration in his work. He imbued his paintings with mythic elements and rituals that transcended time and place.

What is the thematic significance of Bearden's painting 'The Conjurer'?

'The Conjurer' embodies the intersection of African American folk traditions, mythology, and spirituality. The painting reflects Bearden’s exploration of rituals and forces that he felt were often dismissed but remained a deep part of the human experience.

What is the mission of the Romare Bearden Foundation?

The Romare Bearden Foundation, established in 1990, is dedicated to preserving Bearden's legacy by providing scholarships to emerging artists, conducting artist development programs, and advancing scholarly research on his life and work.

How did the Romare Bearden Homecoming Celebration impact New York City?

The Romare Bearden Homecoming Celebration in 2004 was a major cultural event that took place over seven months. It included readings, dance performances, exhibitions, and workshops across New York City, showcasing Bearden’s influence and the significance of his work to the city’s cultural fabric.

What is the significance of the 2003 Bearden retrospective at the National Gallery of Art?

The 2003 retrospective at the National Gallery of Art was a groundbreaking event, being the first-ever dedicated exhibition of an African American artist at the gallery. It highlighted Bearden’s contributions to American art and culture and toured nationwide.

How does the Romare Bearden Foundation support young artists?

The Foundation offers scholarships to young artists, provides workshops for artist development in partnership with educational institutions like the Parsons School of Design, and facilitates symposiums to promote new scholarship on Bearden's work.

What is the role of the Romare Bearden Visual Arts Curriculum in education?

The Romare Bearden Visual Arts Curriculum is a comprehensive arts education program that aims to introduce children to Bearden’s work and the broader contributions of African-American artists. It has been successfully implemented in schools and is expanding nationwide, empowering future generations to connect with and be inspired by his legacy.