Jay Z certainly made it cool for young Black people to have an interest in art, but he’s certainly not the only celeb with an appreciation for fine art. This week, R&B superstar Usher flexed his artistic muscle and scooped up a famous Romare Bearden piece from art dealer Jerry Thomas’ Atlanta exhibition.
Jerry Thomas Jr., Esq., owner of Jerry Thomas Arts, an art advisory and art brokerage firm, partnered with the Alan Avery Art Firm to host a Bearden exhibition in Atlanta this Tuesday. Weeks ago, Thomas, who has sold pieces to the likes of Swizz Beatz, began working on a deal with Usher for the singer to buy Bearden’s watercolor on paper, “Obeah of High Category,” which depicts an Obeah practitioner, someone who casts spells, from West Africa.
Thomas, who is also chairman of the Fulton County Arts Council, spoke about his venture to bring Bearden’s art to Georgia’s capital and he says he is “thrilled to bring the works of one of America’s most prolific artists of the 20th century to Atlanta.”
The Alan Avery Art Company is also currently running the “Romare Bearden: When I Conjure These Memories” exhibition.
For those interested in seeing Bearden pieces themselves, over 25 pieces from the legendary artist will be on display at the Alan Avery Art Company in Atlanta through Jan. 16, 2016.
Check out more photos of Usher’s new Bearden piece after the cut.
