Romare Bearden was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. When he was a boy his family moved to Harlem in New York City, and during high school he lived in Pittsburgh. As a young adult Bearden headed back to Harlem, where jazz was a big influence in his life. Like jazz, his collages are loosely improvisational yet tightly unified. The show’s title comes from Bearden’s own easygoing description of his creative process. The “Profile” series is a record of his memories, colorful and powerful. —L.J.

Travels to: Cincinnati Art Museum (February 28 – May 24, 2020).