The Studio Museum of Harlem Honors Artist Romare Bearden

Today's artists present their Bearden interpetation

The Studio Museum of Harlem openings have increasingly become grand affairs where artists, collectors, curators, and others in the community come to socialize and network against the backdrop of recently installed new work.   Last week, the museum was exquisitely abuzz as conversations about the art on the walls filled the space.  Under the leadership of museum director Thelma Golden and assistant curator Lauren Haynes the museum unveiled The Bearden Project, paying homage to artist Romare Bearden in honor of his contributions to the art world in what would have been his 100^th year.   

The exhibition which currently features the works of forty-four contemporary artists, most of whom made new work specifically for this exhibition,  is the start of what will be an ongoing centennial celebration. Artists from Faith Ringgold and Kerry James Marshall to Lorna Simpson, Derrick Adams Alison Saar, Mark Bradford, and several others contributed and or created art that spoke to the impact of Bearden’s legacy.

Throughout the year the museum will install the work of 56 more artists, offer tours and talks, and develop an online gallery; all designed to engage and interact with the public by increasing awareness of Bearden as well as the artists in the exhibition. 

Artist and former MTV Vee-jay Fred Brathwaite, aka Fab 5 Freddy who lived and painted among the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Lee Quniones, took a moment to view the work and stated “I've admired Romare Bearden's work since I was a child…” he continued, “Bearden’s work, like the best of hip hop music, captures a moment in black urban life. The other artists in the show have fully embraced his influence and have mashed-up, cut, collaged and re-mixed original work that pays homage to Bearden’s style, technique and his historic artistic legacy."

Loop 21 caught up with assistant curator Lauren Haynes and who offered her insights about the exhibition.