Collage



Collage is a fairly recent form of art (when compared with paint, sculpture, etc) that developed in the last century. Collage is very versatile, allowing you to use interesting textures, materials, and other imagery to add layers of meaning to your work.


 * Romare Bearden **


 * Famous African American artist, internationally recognized for his lifelong work as a collage artist.
 * Key figure of the //**Harlem Renaissance**//:
 * In the early 20th century, the United States was changing dramatically. Many people left rural farming areas and headed to industrial cities in hopes of finding work.
 * The neighborhood of Harlem, in New York City, was an area where many African Americans settled, creating a convergence of African Americans from all over the country.
 * The Harlem Renaissance took place in this newly formed community, through visual arts, literature, poetry, theater, dance, and politics. In a time when African Americans were denied basic civil rights, these creative individuals created lasting work that crossed all racial lines.
 * His work tells many inspiring stories that share and celebrate the African American experience in the 1960's and 1970's.
 * Bearden's work is known as "Social Realism." This is a type of artwork that might be abstract in appearance, but tells a true story about life, society, politics, cultural issues, injustice, etc.

Take a look at his work below. Although abstract in it's "style," these collages share true stories about Bearden's life and experiences. || Pittsburgh Memory, 1964 || || Return of Odysseus, 1977 || This collage is a dynamic and expressive depiction of Bearden's Harlem neighborhood. Below, you can view close details of this huge work. Click on an image to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's in depth look at this famous collage! || || For more Information on Romare Bearden, visit our Harlem Renaissance page.
 * Three Folk Musicians, 1967
 * Tomorrow I may Be Far Away, 1967
 * The Block, 1971
 * Details of **//The Block//** (click for more information!):
 * Assignment: Create a collage that expresses a personal message or story. **
 * Size Requirement: ** You must completely fill an 18x24 size collage panel with appropriate collage materials
 * Use of Materials: **You will earn a daily work grade for appropriate use and clean up of collage materials and your studio space.
 * Craftsmanship: ** Your collage sgould be neat and clean, without messy bits of paper, blobs of glue, or blank areas showing. Your design should be clean as well; do not be sloppy with application of collage materials.
 * Technique: **Demonstrate understanding of collage techniques by using a variety of materials effectively, and by creating an accurate "collage version" of your drawn image.
 * Creativity: ** Express yourself! Your composition and materials should work together to effectively express your idea/mesage/story.

Here are a few examples of student work. Some students use a photo reference to lay out their image, while others work from imagination. Collage by Chloe, with paper, paint, yarn, and feathers || Collage by Kelly, with paper || One Love, by Taylor || Collage by Gina, with leather scraps and paint ||
 * [[image:stchloe.jpg]]
 * [[image:stcollagetaylorsm.jpg width="240" height="380"]]