Romare Bearden: An Artist in Winter : Slideshow

Friday, January 04, 2013

Courtesy of Andre Thibault/Teabo

Artist Romare Bearden (left) and former assistant Andre Thibault (a.k.a. Teabo) in Bearden’s studio in 1986. The two had just completed Storyville Mirror, their first work together.

Courtesy of Andre Thibault/Teabo

Bearden, Teabo, and Bearden’s close friend Russell Goings in the studio in the 1980s. Goings, who first befriended Bearden in the 1960s, became Bearden’s caretaker after the artist was diagnosed with bone cancer later in life.

Andre Thibault/Teabo

Bearden and his wife Nanette, right after Bearden finished work on Eden Midnight in 1987.

Catie Talarski

More than 20 years after Bearden’s death, Goings’ living room is full of Bearden’s work, including First Circus (1956).

Catie Talarski

Goings with Bearden’s Conjur Woman (c1977).

Catie Talarski

As Bearden's health began to deteriorate, Goings started recording their visits to document the time they had left. He has 30 hours of tape.

Catie Talarski

Goings with some of Teabo’s art.

Catie Talarski

Teabo holds a magazine Bearden signed for him the night they met. In 1980, Teabo, an aspiring collage artist who idolized Bearden, snuck into one of Bearden’s shows by pretending to be a delivery man. That night he got Bearden’s autograph — and phone number — and soon became his apprentice.

Catie Talarski

Later, Bearden autographed this work jumpsuit for Teabo.

Catie Talarski

Teabo holds a self-portrait sketched by Bearden.