Art That Makes You Smarter (Black History Month) : Romare Bearden
Artists are required to think in unique ways and have the ability to solve problems creatively. Because of this, being around art and studying art can spark creativity, improve problem-solving skills, and make one better at almost everything!
In this post, I'm highlighting an artist who embodies all of that. When he decided not to veer from his own vision, even though it wasn't trending or popular at the time, he totally revised the art of collage for telling the American story. Romare Bearden was one of the most significant African American artists of the 20th century.
During Black History Month, we should take a moment to appreciate his contributions to the world of art and the many insights he gave us into the African American experience. His iconic collage artworks, with their vibrant colors and complex forms, are beloved by many around the world (especially me).
In this blog post, we'll explore how Romare Bearden's art can make us smarter and more conscious of our own culture.
Meet Romare Bearden
A painter and educator, Romare Bearden was one of America’s most prolific African-American artists. His works have been exhibited all over the world, and he is considered a major figure in 20th century art. While many people are familiar with his collage illustrations of Harlem, there’s much more to his story than that.
Born in 1911, Bearden grew up in a family with roots deep in American history. The descendent of slaves, Romare often depicted themes of the Black heritage and history through some of his best-known artworks.
Romare Bearden wasn’t just an artist—he was also a teacher. He served as director of art education at Harlem's Langston Hughes Academy for several years before teaching at Cooper Union, Hampton University. In 1988, he was elected into the National Academy of Design and held various other positions throughout his life. Even so, his work hasn't received its due recognition in America. It makes sense to pay attention to such pieces during Black History Month—but it would be great if people took a moment to see how much value they hold all year long.
(Do I have your attention? Okay! You can and should be teaching about Romare Bearden beyond the month of February.)
Romare Bearden passed away in 1988 from stomach cancer but his works continue to stand as examples of art-as-education and monuments to our American heritage. His story is one that should be told over and over again in classrooms across America. Luckily there are numerous ways we can honor him during Black History Month...and all year long!
Romare Bearden's Art
Romare Bearden is an iconic African-American artist whose work has long been celebrated as a powerful form of art education and activism. His artwork is often associated with Black History Month, thanks to his unique style and use of vibrant colors.
Bearden was a painter, sculptor, writer, and songwriter who used a range of materials and techniques in his work. His art was strongly influenced by his connection to a southern upbringing and his experience as a civil rights activist. He was also known for incorporating African, Caribbean, and Native American elements into his work.
Bearden's artwork is both beautiful and thought-provoking. He often used symbols to tell stories, reflecting on history and culture. He also used abstraction and collage to create bold and dynamic compositions that captivated viewers.
Bearden's art provides a meaningful way to explore Black history and culture. It can be used to introduce students to a range of topics, including the civil rights movement, music, literature, and more. Bearden's work is an invaluable resource for art educators looking to promote Black history, culture, and creativity in their classrooms.
3 Ways to Use Romare Bearden's Work in Your Classroom
Romare Bearden is an artist whose work stands out for its unique combination of colors and shapes, as well as its profound insight into Black culture and life. During Black History Month, it's the perfect time to explore Bearden's art and introduce it to students.
Here are three ways to use Romare Bearden's work in your classroom:
1. Arts Integration: Romare Bearden was known for his collages that incorporated both images and text. This makes his work a great way to use art as text and with text by allowing students to explore different elements of art such as line, shape, color, texture, and form.
Students can examine how Bearden used these elements to create dynamic artworks. Have them discuss these elements and try to incorporate them into their own collage work. As for incorporating text, have students use words that fit with the spelling patterns or vocabulary they are learning.
2. Black History Month: Bearden was also known for his deep knowledge and understanding of African American culture. During Black History Month, Bearden’s artwork is a great way to talk about African American history and the importance of art in telling stories about different cultures.
It is also a great opportunity for students to explore the power of self-expression through art. There are many videos online of Romare being interviewed. Share these with your students, especially the ones where he speaks on this theme.
3. Visual Thinking: Lastly, Romare Bearden’s artwork provides students with the opportunity to practice visual thinking. By looking at Bearden’s pieces, students can hone their skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and communication. Through visual analysis of Bearden’s works, they can gain a deeper understanding of how an artist uses images to communicate ideas.
If you need some art analysis printables to kick start the convos, check out these 15 Free Worksheets that come with this eBook.
Overall, incorporating Romare Bearden’s artwork into your classroom is a great way to introduce students to various aspects of art education while also celebrating Black history month. By looking closely at Bearden’s work, students will be able to discover the power of visual expression and become more adept in the skill of visual thinking.
Final Thoughts
Romare Bearden is a major figure in the history of art and black culture. His work continues to have a profound impact on art education and the celebration of Black History Month. His use of color, texture, and symbols makes his work stand out as unique, powerful, and full of meaning. We should celebrate his legacy by using his artwork in classrooms, museums, and homes around the world. Art educators can take inspiration from Bearden’s creations, learning from his mastery of color, shape, and expression. Through exploring Bearden’s artwork, we can all get smarter about black history and the contributions of African American artists.
Want even MORE Art That Makes You Smarter? Check out the series on YouTube. It’s my personal fave!
Fair use rationale for image:
it is a historically significant artwork
the image is only being used for informational and educational purposes
the image is readily available on the internet
the image is a low resolution copy of the original artwork and is unsuitable for commercial use
I’m Amanda, and I align standards and integrate content to help teachers meet the needs of the Whole Child in art class! I have yet to find a standard that I couldn’t teach through art, and I want to share it all with you.
Not sure where to start with bringing art and content together? This freebie guide is packed with 25 ideas to align your art lessons with math and ELA standards. Your students will be crafting art and practicing algebraic thinking. Win-win!
I want all students to feel successful in the art room, so I created a standards-based Daffodil Collage lesson to do just that! The lesson includes an artist study, student reflection, and more, so push your artists to their full potential.
Follow along on my Instagram page for more tips on teaching the Whole Child in the art room!
Connecting art and content together doesn’t have to be mind-boggling. I’ve made it simple with 25 math and ELA art lesson starters - for free! Plus, I included 15 worksheets for students to reflect on their art-making journey.