James Denmark

THE FAMILY Signed Lithograph, Black Family Portrait, Collage, African American

1987

LOUISIANA SERENADE is a limited edition color lithograph by the renowned African American artist Romare Bearden, printed on archival Somerset printmaking paper, 100% acid free, in an edition size of 175. LOUISIANA SERENADE, from Bearden's late 1970's colorful JAZZ series of musical imagery, captures a Southern evening depicting two male figures playing their guitars on the veranda while a seated woman sits listening beside a glowing glass chimney lamp. LOUISIANA SERENADE, printed in lush hues of green, red, yellow, purple, blue presents a free flowing watercolor-like abstract music portrait by the renowned American artist Romare Bearden. Print size - 24.5 x 33.75 inches, unframed, excellent condition, fresh colors, full bleed image, no margins, pencil signed by Romare Bearden, Year Published - 1979 Edition size - 175, plus proofs About the artist- Romare Bearden (1911-1988) Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Romare Bearden is one of America’s most esteemed African American contemporary artists. Bearden grew up in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City and attended New York University where he received a degree in mathematics. Following graduation, Bearden turned his attention to art, pursuing further studies with George Grosz at the Art Students League. The artist served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. After leaving the Army, Bearden used funds from the GI Bill to travel to Europe for six months to study art history and philosophy at the Sorbonne. During this trip, Bearden had the opportunity to meet Henri Matisse, Georges Braque and Joan Miro, all of who had a strong influence on his artwork. Bearden’s work on canvas and collages expressed the complexities of rural Black America. “My intention is to reveal through pictorial complexities of the life I know,” he said. He integrated scenes from his childhood in North Carolina and from New York City, including many rituals and social customs. Another theme throughout his work was music. Bearden grew up surrounded by musicians and loved jazz and blues. Romare Bearden’s artwork can be found in numerous permanent collections around the country including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrospective exhibitions of Bearden’s art have been held by The Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte; the Museum of Modern Art; the Detroit Institute; and the Studio Museum in Harlem. As well, President Reagan...

NEW GENERATION is a hand drawn, limited edition lithograph printed using hand lithography techniques on archival Arches paper, 10% acid free, by the renowned African American woman artist...

With Josh Crumpler on the design and layout, the team sought to give issue its own stamp – “to really give a sense of who the artist is,” says Milo. In this sense, they wanted to distinguish how Harland was “very carefree” and how he had a “slightly punk” attitude on life, but also how his was was notably concise. “It was about bringing together those elements,” continues Milo. “He is pleased with how it came out so that was a big plus.” Upon deciding on the aesthetic and feel of the magazine, Milo goes on to explain how they pulled many cues from postmodernism. Especially that of mixed-media, and how, with Harland producing his own self-portrait to be included in the issue, they wanted to juxtapose the photograph with a handwritten Q&A. “Harland’s work merges a love of pop culture, abstract expressionism and wordplay,” says Milo, “so the combination of these styles really fit the mould and influenced the design of Plaster.” This conception effortlessly rings out from the magazine, with what Milo describes as “clashing Herb Lubalin...

Al Hirschfeld A & E Biography 10th Anniversary, ca. 1994 Lithograph on Arches cover paper Signed and numbered 173/400 in graphite pencil on the front 19 × 15 inches Unframed This und...