Bearden's early work focused on unity and cooperation within the African-American community. After a period during the 1950s when he painted more abstractly, the theme reemerged in his collage works of the 1960s. The New York Times described Bearden as "the nation's foremost collagist" in his 1988 obituary.Fraser, C. Gerald. Romare Bearden, Collagist and Painter, Dies at 75. The New York Times. March 13, 1988. Bearden became a founding member of the Harlem-based art group known as Spiral, formed to discuss the responsibility of the African-American artist in the civil rights movement.
Bearden's early work focused on unity and cooperation within the African-American community After a period during the 1950s when he painted more abstractly the theme reemerged in his collage works of the 1960s The New York Times described Bearden as "the nation's foremost collagist" in his 1988 obituaryFraser C Gerald Romare Bearden Collagist and Painter Dies at 75 The New York Times March 13 1988 Bearden became a founding member of the Harlem-based art group known as Spiral formed to discuss the responsibility of the African-American artist in the civil rights movement