Impressions & Improvisations: The Prints of Romare Bearden Opens at Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City, MO. Sept. 20, 2011
Exhibition Offers In-Depth Look at Artist, Printmaking
Artist Romare Bearden‟s life and art are marked by a broad range of intellectual and scholarly interests, yet the visual arts were his primary focus. Bearden (1911–1988) was a master of collage, but he was also known for his watercolors, oil paintings, photomontages and prints. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features more than 75 of Bearden‟s works in Impressions & Improvisations: The Prints of Romare Bearden from Oct. 15–Jan. 8, 2012. The original exhibition and catalogue title is From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden and the exhibition is organized by the Romare Bearden Foundation.
The exhibition is organized into two sections: Bearden‟s printmaking processes and important thematic motifs. Together, these two approaches provide a broad overview of Bearden‟s genius as an artist: he was constantly stimulated–artistically, intellectually and emotionally–at the very deepest levels in every medium he employed.
Bearden believed the process of making art was as important as the work of art itself. His involvement with printmaking began in 1933 with a class in linoleum block printing and re-surfaced around 1964 in the context of a printmaking renaissance that included artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg. Bearden‟s passion for printmaking continued throughout his prolific career.
Bearden revisited many of the same themes during his career: African motifs, the beauty of black women, women and children, memories of the South, jazz and blues, Greek myth and religion and ritual. Bearden‟s art and life were primarily and consistently informed by his African American heritage. In his art, Bearden sought to connect the distinctiveness of African American culture with broad, universal meanings.
“One of Bearden‟s favorite themes was the beauty of black women,” said Leesa Fanning, Associate Curator, Modern & Contemporary Art. “Women appear alone with their thoughts, with their families, singing on stage and as lovers and nudes. Even biblical figures such as Delilah and Salome and „conjure‟ women with supernatural powers are evident. Bearden‟s art is infused with such spirit. It‟s evident in his depictions of jazz musicians and Southern river baptisms, where you can feel the religious fervor.”
In honor of their service, the exhibition will be free for veterans and active duty military and their families on Veterans Day, November 11.
The original exhibition and catalogue title is From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden. The exhibition was organized by the Romare Bearden Foundation, New York, NY. Exhibition Tour Organization and Management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA. In Kansas City the exhibition is supported by the Campbell-Calvin Fund and Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust for exhibitions.
October 22
Poetry Workshop for Teens
10-noon
Ford Learning Center Training Room
Ages 12-18
$10/$15
Glenn North will lead a poetry workshop inspired by the exhibition Impressions & Improvisations: the Prints of Romare Bearden. Students will be invited to present their work during Thanksgiving weekend.
November 25
Family Performance: Glenn North and the Grove 101 Jazz Trio
5-6 p.m. Repeated 7-8 p.m.
Atkins Auditorium
Poet in residence and education specialist at the American Jazz Museum, Glenn North will lead a family-friendly program comprised of music performed by the “Groove 101” jazz trio, followed by a poetry slam presented by Glenn, Natasha Ria El-Scari, and selected student poets.
November 26 & 27
Family Fun Activity (Art +Family = Fun! logo)
1-4 p.m. both days
Bloch Lobby
FREE
Enjoy informal looking and hands-on activities in the galleries. No need to sign up! Join poet Glenn North for a poetry slam inspired by the exhibition Impressions & Improvisations: the Prints of Romare Bearden.”
Saturday, October 22
Poetry Workshop for Teens
10-noon
Ford Learning Center Training Room
Ages 12-18
$10/$15
Glenn North will lead a poetry workshop inspired by the exhibition Impressions & Improvisations: the Prints of Romare Bearden. Students will be invited to present their work during Thanksgiving weekend.
Friday, November 25
Family Performance: Glenn North and the Grove 101 Jazz Trio
5-6 p.m. Repeated 7-8 p.m.
Atkins Auditorium
Poet in residence and education specialist at the American Jazz Museum, Glenn North will lead a family-friendly program comprised of music performed by the “Groove 101” jazz trio, followed by a poetry slam presented by Glenn, Natasha Ria El-Scari, and selected student poets.
November 26 & 27
Family Fun Activity (Art +Family = Fun! logo)
1-4 p.m. both days
Bloch Lobby
FREE
Enjoy informal looking and hands-on activities in the galleries. No need to sign up! Join poet Glenn North for a poetry slam inspired by the exhibition Impressions & Improvisations: the Prints of Romare Bearden.”
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America‟s finest art museums. The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access and insight into its renowned collection of more than 33,500 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and new American Indian and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the Museum is a key educational resource for the region. The institution-wide transformation of the Nelson-Atkins has included the 165,000-square-foot Bloch Building expansion and renovation of the original 1933 Nelson-Atkins Building.
The Nelson-Atkins is located at 45th and Oak Streets, Kansas City, MO. Hours are Wednesday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thursday/Friday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon–5 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free to everyone. For Museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org/.