Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist & Visionary

The David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland is proud to announce its Spring 2020 exhibition, Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist & Visionary which explores the body of work of one of the 20th century’s most important visual artists and highlights his life as an educator, scholar, writer, songwriter, and social activist.

“Romare Bearden was not only a mature and richly gifted artist, he was one of America's early scholars in the study and documentation of the creative legacy of African American art. His unique collage like style and intimate subject matter brought to life histories and familial relationships of African Americans with respect and affection.”
-Professor Curlee R. Holton, Director, David C. Driskell Center

Artist as Activist & Visionary features over 45 works including collages, watercolors, drawings, prints, and editorial cartoons through which Bearden explored race and racial stereotypes, often taking inspiration from history, literature, the Bible, jazz, the African American community, and his imagination. The Driskell Center also presents several works by Romare Bearden (1911-1988) from its permanent art collection.