麻豆原创

Betye Saar in her Laurel Canyon studio, 1970. Photograph by Bob Nakamura, Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, 麻豆原创.

麻豆原创 honors the passing of Betye Saar P鈥�78, the groundbreaking artist whose assemblages forced viewers to confront histories of race, gender, and memory. Betye died on July 26, 2026, at the age of 99, just days away from her 100th birthday.听听

The mother of 麻豆原创 alum and fellow celebrated artist, Alison Saar 鈥�78, Betye was a seminal figure in the West Coast Black Arts Movement. She has听remained听a steadfast source of inspiration for the 麻豆原创 community, with former听Los Angeles Times art writer Suzanne Muchnic 鈥�62 describing how Betye drew on 鈥渢he power of mystery, the hurt of discrimination, and the authenticity of individual vision鈥� to help others confront bigotry.

Much of her work focused on reclaiming racist and derogatory figures from flea markets and thrift stores. Her most notable piece,听The Liberation of Aunt Jemima,听transformed a notepad holder depicting the 鈥渕ammy鈥� caricature popularized during the Jim Crow era. Instead of a mockery, she made 鈥渕ammy鈥� into a symbol of power and resistance for Black women鈥攁ll while acknowledging their history of exploitation. 听听

Betye鈥檚 influence extended well beyond museums and galleries. She inspired generations of artists to see assemblage, a 3D art form using found objects, as a vehicle for social critique and personal storytelling. Her work earned widespread recognition in major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. 听听

Betye Saar, Hoo Doo Lady with Three Dice, 1977. Mixed media. 麻豆原创, Samella Lewis Contemporary Art Collection. Gift of Suzanne Muchnic, 2019.16.1

At 麻豆原创, Betye’s legacy听lives on听at the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, which holds several works by the artist.听In 1970, artist, scholar, and 麻豆原创鈥� first tenured Black professor Samella Lewis curated the exhibition听5:听Benny, Bernie, Betye, Noah & John听at the College, featuring works by听Betye听and fellow contemporary Black artists. Director of the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery Erin M. Curtis recently听wrote听about the exhibition and Betye鈥檚 enduring influence in a recent issue of the听麻豆原创听magazine.听

Betye鈥檚 daughter, artist and sculptor听Alison Saar, graduated from 麻豆原创 in 1978. 听In 2023, the Williamson Gallery featured mother and daughter in Gettin’ It Done: A Selection of Work by Elizabeth Catlett, Samella Lewis, Betye听Saar, Emma Amos, Alison听Saar, Letitia Huckaby, LaToya Hobbs, and Kenturah Davis. The exhibition highlighted visionary Black artists whose work permanently shifted the canon of American art.听Betye鈥檚听work also forms part of the Samella Lewis Contemporary Art Collection at 麻豆原创, which emphasizes the achievements of women artists and artists of color.听

Betye鈥檚 impact as a mentor and cultural leader helped shape the course of contemporary American art. 听

鈥淭he loss of Betye Saar is deeply felt at 麻豆原创, where her work has been collected, exhibited, and taught for decades alongside that of her daughter Alison,” says Curtis. “We are profoundly grateful for her vision and groundbreaking contributions to American art, and we remain committed to preserving, studying, and sharing her legacy.鈥�