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Romare Bearden's Profile/Part 1, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, School Bell Time, an abstract, mixed media painting of a group of children outside of a school. On the left a mother holds the silhouette of a baby wrapped in cloth. On the right another human figure rings a bell.

Romare Bearden (1911–1988), United States, Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, School Bell Time, 1978, collage on board, Kingsborough Community College, The City University of New York. © Romare Bearden Foundation/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Paul Takeuchi.

Romare Bearden's Profile/Part 1 The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Miss Bertha and Mr. Seth, an abstract, mixed media painting of an African American family standing outside the doorway to their home. The father holds a child in his arms while the mother hold a boom.

Romare Bearden (1911–1988), United States, Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Miss Bertha and Mr. Seth, 1978, collage on board, Collection of Susan Merker. © Romare Bearden Foundation/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Paul Takeuchi.

Romare Bearden's Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Maudell Sleet’s Magic Garden, an abstract, mixed media painting of an African American woman tending to her garden in front of her home

Romare Bearden (1911–1988), United States, Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Maudell Sleet’s Magic Garden, 1978, collage on board, Collection of Pearson C. Cummin III and Linda Forrest Cummin. © Romare Bearden Foundation/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Romare Bearden's Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Railroad Shack Sporting House, an abstract mixed media painting of an African American man and woman sitting in their bed together nude. The man sits leaned against the headboard while the woman sits near the end, lifting her clothes over her head

Romare Bearden (1911–1988), United States, Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Railroad Shack Sporting House, 1978, collage on board, Private collection. © Romare Bearden Foundation/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo by Jennifer Patselas.

Romare Bearden's Profile/Part II, The Thirties: Rehearsal Hall, an abstract painting of two saxophonists in a recording studio with bold, colorful lines and rectangles

Romare Bearden, (1911–1988), United States, Profile/Part II, The Thirties: Rehearsal Hall, 1981, collage on board, Courtesy of the Collection of Adam Bush and Lisa Yun Lee. ©Romare Bearden Foundation/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Photo by Karen Philippi

Romare Bearden's Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Spring Fever, an abstract, mixed media painting of a farmstead. On the left side is a house and barn. A human figure stands in the door way of the house, and a mule stands in front of the barn. On the right side a man leans against a tree as a train passes by behind him

Romare Bearden, (1911–1988), United States, Profile/Part I, The Twenties: Mecklenberg County, Spring Fever, 1978, collage on board, Garth Fagan Collection. © Romare Bearden Foundation/VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Photo courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY.

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"Something Over Something Else": Romare Bearden’s Profile Series

February 28, 2020–June 21, 2020

Press Release

"Something Over Something Else": Romare Bearden’s Profile Series reunites for the first time thirty vibrant collages from this renowned series. In 1977, a "Profile" of Bearden by Calvin Tomkins in the New Yorker provoked the artist to reflect upon his childhood and maturity during the 1920s and 30s. The result was a two-part series that traces his journey from rural Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to working-class Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and culminates with his treasured first studio in Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood.

Yet transcending autobiography, Bearden’s Profile Series, accompanied by evocative texts co-written by Bearden and his friend the author Albert Murray, expresses a deep reverence for humanity and the struggles and triumphs of African Americans.

 

 

Enjoy the "Something Over Something Else" from Home

Take a look inside the exhibition...

Listen and Learn

Cincinnati Art Museum’s Russell Ihrig sits down with museum Docent Julie Willis to discuss Mecklenberg County and Maudell Sleet’s Magic Garden by Romare Bearden.

 

 

Watch and Enjoy

Take a ’virtual tour’ inside the exhibition.

Continue Exploring...

Additional Online Resources

Visit the Romare Bearden Foundation Online

This site offers a wide range of resources and information on the art and life of preeminent African-American artist Romare Bearden. Learn more

The Art of Romare Bearden

A Resource for Teachers | Learn more

 

"Something Over Something Else" in the news

 

A Special Opportunity To See The Cincinnati Art Museum's New Romare Bearden Exhibit

Who was Romare Bearden and what will visitors see during their visit?

WVXU | Feb. 21, 2020 | Read More

 

‘Something Over Something Else: Romare Bearden’s Profile Series’ Review: Bright Reflections

Inspired by a magazine profile, the artist created a two-part series of collage-paintings documenting his childhood in North Carolina and experiences as a young artist in Harlem.

The Wall Street Journal | November 26, 2019 | Read More

 

A Rare Self Portrait of Romare Bearden: September Collection Highlight at the High

What can we learn about Bearden’s process and influences just by looking at this work? As it turns out, a lot.

The High Museum of Art Atlanta | Sep. 24, 2019 | Read More

 

 

This exhibition is organized by the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by the Andrew Wyeth Foundation for American Art.

National Endowment for the Arts   WFAA

Generously supported by:

Eric & Jan-Michele Kearney

LPK