Betye Saar

African American assemblage artist whose revolutionary works challenged racial stereotypes and ignited cultural conversations

Betye Saar (b. 1926) reshaped American art through provocative mixed-media assemblages that confronted racism and mysticism. Her 1972 masterpiece 《The Liberation of Aunt Jemima》 transformed a racist mammy figurine into a guerrilla warrior holding a rifle—a seismic shift in Black feminist art.

Saar's "mojo" artworks blended African spirituality with political commentary. She scavenged derogatory artifacts like Jim Crow-era ephemera, repurposing them into talismans of resistance. Exhibitions at LACMA and MoCA cemented her role in the Black Arts Movement, though mainstream recognition came late.

Her influence extends beyond galleries: Saar mentored generations of artists exploring identity politics. At 97, she continues creating in Los Angeles, proving art remains a weapon against oppression. The 2022 Venice Biennale retrospective highlighted her enduring relevance in decolonial discourse.