Bearden, Romare, << BIHR duhn, roh MAIR >> (1911-1988), was an African American artist whose work realistically portrays the urban and rural life of African Americans. Bearden’s works explore many aspects of African American culture, including music, religion, home life, and street scenes. He did his best-known work in large-scale collage (see Collage ). Bearden used pieces of paper, magazine cutouts, and photographic images and combined them in unique compositions.
Romare Howard Bearden was born on Sept. 2, 1911, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He grew up in New York City and Pittsburgh. He spent most of his adult life in New York City. Between 1938 and 1966, he served periodically as a caseworker for what is now the New York City Department of Social Services. Bearden also taught young black American painters and helped organize exhibitions of black art. Bearden died on March 12, 1988.
