Robert Colescott: 1925-2009

by D. K. Row, The Oregonian

Robert Colescott, the gifted American artist whose often outlandish but always gorgeous paintings pondered racial stereotypes and other thorny aspects of race relations in America, passed away Thursday at his home in Tucson, according to Portland dealer Laura Russo, who has had a long association with Colescott. Colescott was 83 years-old.

Colescott lived in Portland for a time and also taught at Portland State University. Even as he became an internationally recognized figure, the artist still kept ties to Portland.