The Groundbreaking Artist Who’s Not Slowing Down at 93
In the first film from our Sundance 2020 series, meet Betye Saar, who says her weapon is art.
UCLA alumna Betye Saar (B.A '49) is known for her assemblages. Her work mixes surreal, symbolic imagery with a folk art aesthetic, exploroing mysticism, history, memory, and nostalgia.
"This film is part of a special Op-Docs series of short documentaries premiering in the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
In the first film from our Sundance 2020 series, meet Betye Saar, who says her weapon is art. At 93, there’s no stopping when it comes to the legendary artist Betye Saar. A self-proclaimed “recycler,” Ms. Saar has been creating assemblage art for decades. The objects in her work reflect her very personal visions of nature, spirituality and ideas addressing equality and a new kind of African-American representation. By taking a derogatory caricature like Aunt Jemima and outfitting her with weapons, Ms. Saar transforms her into an image of power and certitude. Learn more about her story, in her own words, in the short documentary above."— Video by , Jan. 28, 2020
This post is an excerpt. Read the full article on the New York Times website.
Read more about Betye Saar.
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