“All of us, from the time we begin to think, are on an Odyssey.” — Romare Bearden
The Amon Carter opened the Smithsonian traveling exhibit Romare Bearden: A Black Odyssey Saturday May 18. Recognized as one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century, Bearden’s deft scissors created the story of Homer’s Odyssey with a twist. He not only portrayed the characters as black, but he put a different meaning to the tales.
I always thought as a kid reading the Odyssey, that Homer’s heroes weren’t always that heroic. Many times they seemed cruel and unfair, which to me was not a heroic trait. I wanted to empathize with Odysseus, but in the end I wished the Cyclops had just eaten him.
Maybe Bearden felt the same way. He portrays the Cyclops as just an oversized child that should have been left alone — the Cicones as a native tribe trying to defend their land from murdering invaders (notice the American Indian style of headdress on the chief). Circe as beautiful and compelling, but also vunerable. All the brightly colored collages are graphic and moving. They capture the action of the moment.
There is one other area that shouldn't be missed and that is at the end of the exhibit. There is a display of his line drawings of heroic figures, which are also moving and terrifically expressive.
Bearden grew up in Harlem with jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Fats Waller. He created music of his own as well, but his artwork was his real jazz. “You sing on the canvas. You improvise. You find the rhythm, and catch it good and structure as you go along. Then the song is you.”
Romare Bearden; A Black Odyssey will be up through Aug. 11.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth
817.738.1933
Admission to the museum is free
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and major holidays.
