Program celebrates Harlem Renaissance artist Bearden

A collage depicting silhouettes of African Americans playing brass instruments in a jazz club is one of 50 pieces created by artist Romare Bearden now on display at the Arthur Ross Gallery in the Furness Fine Arts Library. Bearden, an African American artist described as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, was celebrated in a symposium entitled "The Life and Work of Romare Bearden" at the Annenberg Center Friday night. The exhibition, entitled "A Graphic Odyssey: Romare Bearden as Printmaker," will continue through October 24. Approximately 120 students, faculty and community members attended the presentation to listen to a panel discussion and admire slides of Bearden's work. "Bearden's art incorporates Cubist abstract Impressionism, with Chinese calligraphy, and his use of the collage technique speaks of the African American experience in the new world," said English Professor Herman Beavers, who serves as director of the African American Studies Program. "Bearden must have known this day would have come when we would be talking about his work," Beavers said. David Driskel, art professor at the University of Maryland, was the keynote speaker for the symposium. Driskel was also a personal friend of Bearden. "From the vantage point of poet, with brush in hand, and bits of torn paper, Bearden created a legacy with collage," Driskel said. He described Bearden's relationship to his African American subjects as a "love affair," and recalled how Bearden was a "keen observer of human nature," and "had a special way of seeing black people," especially black women. According to Driskel, much of Bearden's work incorporated autobiographical themes, and his unique vision "saw above the American wall of race, prejudice and segregation." The panel of speakers discussed topics from the history of black legacy that is reflected in Bearden's work to biblical representation. "Christian dogma, faith and spirituality is a large part of Bearden's foundation," said panelist Sharon Patton, art history professor at the University of Michigan. Nicole Maloy, a 1996 Wharton graduate, said she enjoyed the presentation. "It was very informative. The panelists addressed many different aspects of his work, culture and the history and spirituality of his people," Maloy said. Beavers said he felt the symposium was long overdue and hoped after the seminar, people would not regard African American art as being "esoteric and narrowly focused." "Bearden drew from a lot of different traditions, and he is really an artist of the world," Beavers said. College sophomore Afia Ohene-Frempang said she finds it rare for an African American artist to become popular outside his or her own community. "We have a lot of artists that we consider prominent but they are not as recognized in other societies, and for Bearden to actually be recognized in other countries and in the U.S. is rare," Ohene-Frempang said. The symposium was sponsored by the African American Studies Program.