Homewood Nation

By Kilolo Luckett

A temporary art installation placed in one of Macy's display windows on Smithfield Street last week featured the work of two Homewood artists, Tina Brewer and Vanessa German.

 

The installation was part of an exhibition titled Stacks, a Black History Month offering honoring the life and work of Romare Bearden. In it, Brewer’s rich, kaleidoscopic story quilt served as a backdrop juxtaposed with German’s colorful yet provocative power figure sculptures.

 

Stacks was part of an ongoing celebration of the centennial year of artist Romare Bearden. Although Bearden was born on September 2, 1911, The Romare Bearden Foundation is celebrating the artist’s 100th anniversary through a year-long tribute of events that began September 2011 with the dedication of the Bearden postage stamp. Bearden spent part of his teenage years in Pittsburgh living with his grandparents, which greatly shaped his artwork. He graduated from Peabody High School. His vibrant and spirited collage work was influenced by African-American life and explored themes of music, family and religion.

 

Stacks also included photographs, drawings and collages by Pittsburgh artists. The exhibit was curated by photographer Alisha Wormsley.

The installation was on view from Thursday, Feb. 9 through Sunday, Feb. 12.

photo by Kilolo Luckett