Betye Saar, pioneering figure of Black arts movement, dies at 99

Betye Saar, a pioneering figure of the Black arts movement, died at 99 in Los Angeles. Saar was a renowned assemblage artist who transformed discarded objects, particularly Jim Crow-era memorabilia, into powerful symbols of Black liberation. Her most famous work, "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" (1972), reimagined the controversial brand image as an armed figure. Saar also explored themes of family, spirituality, and the African diaspora through printmaking, film, and the use of natural materials. Her career, which began at age 35, spanned decades, and she continued creating art into her 90s, influencing generations of Black artists.

Artist Betye Saar, a pivotal figure in the 1960s Black Art Movement known for her assemblage art that explored Black identity, culture, and spirituality, has died at 99 in Los Angeles. Saar, who began her art career at 35 and continued into her 90s, used found objects and reclaimed memorabilia, such as Jim Crow-era items, to create powerful works of Black liberation. Her significant pieces include "Black Girl's Window" (1969) and "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" (1972), the latter a response to racial injustice. Saar mentored many Black artists and was recognized for her contributions with concurrent solo shows at LACMA and MoMA in 2019.