SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) proudly presents "From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden," a traveling exhibition that is part of a national centennial celebration of Bearden, an American artist of African American descent who is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented and original visual artists of the twentieth century. The exhibition, organized by the Romare Bearden Foundation, includes over 85 lithographs, etchings, collagraphs, collagraph plates, screen prints, drypoints, monoprints, and engravings produced over three decades by Bearden. It will be on view from Friday, May 6, through Sunday, July 3, 2011.

The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to examine Bearden's print-making process and to understand how key themes and motifs like trains, family life, rituals, rural and urban scenes, jazz, and mythology extended his artistic imagination beyond collages, of which he is an acknowledged master, into the graphic medium.

"From Process to Print offers a powerful statement about Romare Bearden's extraordinary creativity and versatility as an artist," said Grace C. Stanislaus, Executive Director of MoAD. "Celebrated as a master of the collage medium, Bearden was also deeply engaged with printmaking throughout his long and prolific career. Printmaking provided the kind of creative outlet that enabled him to push the boundaries, to experiment and innovate, to collaborate, as he enjoyed doing, with master printmakers of his time, and to produce a body of work that mirrored his collages in subject matter and impact and that were also very accessible to a broad public. MoAD is honored to present such a wonderful exhibition and to participate with others across the country in the national centennial celebration of the life and work of this preeminent artist," Stanislaus said.

Ms. Stanislaus is particularly familiar with Bearden's work, having served as President and CEO of the Romare Bearden Foundation prior to assuming her position as Executive Director of MoAD.

Focusing on the later period of his career, "From Process to Print" explores Bearden's graphic oeuvre from the 1960s though the early 1980s. Included are prints based on collages like the "Odysseus Series" and "Piano Lesson" that he reworked in several media through changes in technique, scale, and color. Also included are two important photoengraving series, "The Train" and "The Family", and the extraordinary limited edition "12 Trains."

Bearden (1911-1988) is the only African American artist who had a retrospective at the National Gallery in D.C. that toured nationally. The National Medal of Arts, one of many awards and honors, was presented to Bearden in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan. Not only was he recognized for his exceptional artistic talent, he also was known as a respected writer, humanist, and mentor.

Opening Reception: Friday, May 6, 2011.

Press and MoAD Patrons: 5:30 pm, MoAD Members: 6:30 pm, Public: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Available for Interviews: Grace C. Stanislaus, Executive Director, MoAD

The Bearden Foundation: More information about Bearden and his work may be found by visiting www.beardenfoundation.org.

About the Museum of the African Diaspora

The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) showcases the history, art and the cultural richness that resulted from the dispersal of Africans throughout the world with innovative and engaging exhibitions, education and public programs. Incorporated in 2002 as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, MoAD opened its doors in 2005 in space contiguous with the St. Regis Hotel and Residences and in the historic Williams Building at 685 Mission Street at Third. MoAD was conceived as a cornerstone of the revitalization of downtown San Francisco, and has become an anchor with its neighbors, the San Francisco MoMA, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Zeum, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum, making this dynamic cultural corridor a premier destination.

Museum of the African Diaspora

685 Mission Street (at Third), San Francisco, CA 94105 | www.moadsf.org | 415.358.7200

Museum Hours

Wednesday–Saturday: 11:00 am–6:00 pm | Sunday 12:00–5:00 pm | Monday–Tuesday: CLOSED

Admission Prices

General Admission $10; Students and Seniors $5; Members and Children 12 and under w/adult FREE

MoAD is easily accessible by Muni, BART, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, and Caltrain. Hourly, daily, and monthly parking is available within 1 – 2 blocks of the museum.

Contact: Michael DeFlorimonte
michaelD. Communications
michaeld@michaeldcommunications.com
415.203.9801

High resolution images, exhibition checklist and catalogue available

SOURCE Museum of the African Diaspora