The artwork titled “Roots,” created by Romare Bearden in 1977, is representative of the Neo-Expressionism and Outsider Art movements. This piece is categorized within the genre of symbolic painting.
The artwork features a large silhouetted profile of a face set against a blue and green backdrop, with a vibrant red sun seemingly nestled within the form of a tree. To the left, white doves in flight add a sense of peace and liberation. Below the profile, a white ship with African tribal detailing sails, symbolizing historical and cultural narratives of diaspora and roots. The stark, minimalist shapes and colors invoke a blend of serenity and reflection, encouraging viewers to ponder the deeper symbolic meanings behind the piece.
