The Land of the Lotus Eaters Artwork by Romare Beardon

About the Artist Romare Bearden (1914-1988) Famous African American author of the Harlem Renaissance Born in Charlotte, NC Moved to Harlem Joined the Army in 1942 Moved to Paris to study art

Bearden’s Art Work focused mainly on the African American experience Worked in the medium of collages

Collages Were first used in modern times by the cubists (who inspired Bearden in Paris) For Bearden’s collages, he combined his artist’s eye and his love of jazz He took fragments of pictures and colors and arranged them to form figures and scenes that became unified storytelling creations

Bearden’s collage materials He used a large variety including: Pictures from magazines Photographs Fabrics paint

Reasons to make collage Bearden liked collage because with it he was able to combine related moments and events in his work To show the relation of past and present To express the color and richness of life that he associated with African American culture

Bearden’s Odyssey Bearden did an African American version of the ancient Greek classic, The Odyssey He wanted to reinterpret memories and stories in African American terms

Land of the Lotus Eaters Done in 1977 From his collection of Odyssey stories

Introducing the Collage What colors predominate in the collage? How would you describe the tones of these colors? Describe the terrain in the collage.

Introducing the Collage What effect does the diagonal line of the river have on the viewer’s path of vision? What sort of texture does the collage have? What are the people in the collage doing? What seems to be their mood?

Land of the Lotus Eaters Answer the following questions on the worksheet - in complete sentences

Additional Collages Cyclops Battle of the Cicones

The Cyclops Painting by French Artist Odilon Redon Tones of pastel Oils Dream-like mythical images