The Block (1971), Stamping Ground (1971) and Manhattan Suite (1975) were a few of Romare Bearden’s pieces that made me fall in love with the red brick buildings found throughout cities such as Harlem, Detroit and Chicago. When I look at his work, I can hear him whispering in my ear, telling me to look again, to observe the streets, the people, the sounds around me, to find the rich, colorful, gritty, soulful beauty that lies beneath each layer of who we are. His work is poetry. It is simple and it is complicated. Each shape placed on the page has intention without trying too hard.

If I could go back in time, I’d ask Romare to dance.

Artist Audio Statement