Romare Bearden Documentary to Make Waves at Art Basel Miami 2024

Art Basel Miami 2024 is set to shine a light on the extraordinary life and work of legendary artist Romare Bearden through the highly anticipated documentary “Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage.”

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper (“James Brown: Say it Loud, Versailles ’73”), the film will offer a fresh and intimate portrait of Bearden’s groundbreaking artistry and activism.

With exclusive access to the Romare Bearden archives, Riley Draper has partnered with the Romare Bearden Foundation as a lead co-producer to craft a visually stunning and emotionally compelling film. Audiences will experience rare and never-before-seen materials, including archival footage, artwork, and personal correspondence, woven together in a cinematic collage inspired by Bearden’s own revolutionary techniques.

Tallal ElBoushi, Chairman of the Romare Bearden Foundation, expressed his excitement for the project. “We are thrilled to have Deborah Riley Draper helm this documentary. It will amplify my uncle’s unparalleled talent and show how he shaped the art world as a Black man breaking barriers in art, activism, and community.”

Riley Draper shared her deep connection to Bearden’s work, stating, “His collages tell powerful African American stories that mirror my own family’s experiences. Bearden’s art is a conversation starter on race, place, and universal connections.”

Produced by Coffee Bluff Pictures, the film features an impressive team, including three-time Emmy winner Jarobi Moorhead (Little Richard: I Am Everything), Alva Greenberg, Jocelyn Moore, and Robin Lyon, founder of Baller Alert Media.

The documentary promises to take viewers on a journey through Bearden’s life, from his Southern roots to Harlem’s Renaissance, Pittsburgh’s steel mills, and Parisian art circles. Along the way, it will showcase pivotal moments in American history, contextualized by Bearden’s art.

Art Basel Miami 2024 Events

Fans of Bearden and art enthusiasts can join a series of exclusive events celebrating the documentary during Art Basel Miami:
    •    Monday, December 2, 2024: A private dinner for artists, filmmakers, collectors, and influencers sponsored by Moët Hennessy.
    •    Tuesday, December 3, 2024: A virtual fundraiser on Giving Tuesday in collaboration with the Southern Documentary Fund.
    •    Wednesday, December 4, 2024 (3:00 PM): The LVMH Culture House will host a panel on “Art, Activism, and the Power of Bearden,” featuring a sneak peek at the film and an installation of Bearden’s 19-piece series, Bayou Fever.
    •    Thursday, December 5, 2024: Salesforce will host a private dinner at Soho House, showcasing Bearden’s work and a fireside chat with Riley Draper on transforming the creative world.

About Romare Bearden Foundation and Collaborators

Founded in 1990, the Romare Bearden Foundation is dedicated to preserving Bearden’s legacy through archives, education, and public programs. Key collaborators include Coffee Bluff Pictures, Moët Hennessy USA, LVMH Culture House, and the Southern Documentary Fund, each contributing unique expertise to this groundbreaking project.

For more details or media credentials, email [email protected].

Stay tuned for more updates as Romare Bearden: A Life in Collage gears up to bring this influential artist’s story to audiences worldwide.