Four works by the late African-American artist Romare Bearden, who spent part of his childhood in Pittsburgh, are featured in a set of Forever stamps released Wednesday by the U.S. Postal Service.
The artist is best known for his vibrant collages that pushed the boundaries of the medium. His subject matter was drawn from music, particularly blues and jazz; the African-American experience; literary sources; religion; and from his own life in North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Harlem.
"Using various materials, such as foil, cut paper, and fabric, Romare Bearden transformed collage into a forceful means of expression with mainstream appeal -- and in doing so, he framed the complexities of the African-American experience in a broad historical and cultural context," Deputy Postmaster Gen. Ron Stroman said when the stamps were unveiled at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City.
The post office chose four collages to reproduce: "Conjunction." 1971, "Odysseus: Poseidon, The Sea God -- Enemy of Odysseus," 1977; "Prevalence of Ritual: Conjur Woman," 1964; and "Falling Star," 1979.
