The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University is currently hosting the exhibition ‘Romare Bearden: A Black Odyssey.’ Romare Bearden, one of the most important figures in 20th century art, created a series of collages and watercolors based on Homer’s epic poem, ‘The Odyssey’ during the late 1970s. Shortly after its completion, the series was broken up and scattered amongst private collections and public art museums. ‘A Black Odyssey’ presents the complete series thanks to the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, which assembled the show in cooperation with the Romare Bearden Foundation and Estate and DC Moore Gallery.
Bearden, who moved to New York City from North Carolina as a child, was part of the Great Migration of African Americans from the tumultuous South to greater opportunity in the North. Throughout his career, Bearden explored themes such as home, classical subjects, and belonging, all of which are touched upon in his Odyssey series.
‘Romare Bearden: A Black Odyssey’ will be on view at the Michael C. Carlos Museum through March 9, 2014.
