Untitled 1983

Romare Bearden made this print on paper, sometime in the 20th century, using a screenprinting process to lay down flat areas of color, and then adding some details with a pen, or marker. What strikes me about this piece is the way the white bird stands out against the vibrant blue-green background; it's like a jolt of energy. When you look closely, you can see how the white lines of the bird are not perfectly clean; they have a kind of hand-drawn quality. This is really about the surface and the physicality of the ink. It's a flat print, but these lines give the piece such energy, suggesting movement and life. Take a look at the bird's eye, it’s just a small, simple mark, but it gives the bird so much character. Bearden's work often explores themes of identity and community, and in a different way here we still see this echoed through the ecosystem he depicts. I am reminded of Matisse's use of bold colors and simplified forms; both artists have a way of capturing the essence of a subject with a sense of joy and playfulness. Ultimately, this piece invites us to see the world in a new way, to appreciate the beauty and simplicity of line, color, and form.