Pioneering Artist Betye Saar, Champion of Black Identity, Passes at 99
WHO:
CNN - Artist Betye Saar, a central figure of the 1960s Black Arts Movement.
CNN - Angela Robinson Witherspoon, who commented on Saar's work and legacy.
CNN - Kerry James Marshall, a painter mentored by Saar.
CNN - Roberts Projects, the Los Angeles gallery that represents Saar.
WHAT:
AP - A collection of more than 100 of Saar's dolls are on view at the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan.
The Washington Post - Saar would have celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday.
AP - A collection of more than 100 of Saar's dolls are on view at the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan.
CNN - Betye Saar died at the age of 99.
CNN - Saar's work included assemblage, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
CNN - "Black Girl’s Window," created in 1969, was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2019.
CNN - "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima," created in 1972, features a reclaimed figure holding a rifle and a hand grenade.
CNN - Saar was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in spring 2026.
CNN - "Let’s Get It On: The Wearable Art of Betye Saar," focusing on costume design, is currently on view at Roberts Projects.
WHERE:
CNN - Saar died in Los Angeles.
CNN - Saar grew up in Pasadena and was part of a community of Black artists in nearby Altadena.
CNN - "Black Girl’s Window" was acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
WHEN:
CNN - Saar's death was confirmed on a Monday following her passing on a Sunday morning.
CNN - The Aunt Jemima brand was part of Quaker Oats for more than 130 years before its retirement in 2020.
CNN - Saar's work was exhibited in a solo show at the Whitney Museum in 1975.
CNN - Concurrent solo shows of Saar's work were mounted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and MoMA in 2019.
WHY:
CNN - Saar's work reflected Black identity, culture, and spirituality, and she aimed to reclaim Jim Crow-era memorabilia as symbols of Black liberation.
CNN - The creation of "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" was a response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.
HOW:
AP - Angela Robinson Witherspoon produced and directed a documentary in 2023 titled "Betye Saar: Ready to Be A Warrior," featuring interviews with John Legend, Tina Knowles, and other prominent voices.
CNN - Saar's artistic practice involved the appropriation and transformation of Black collectibles, heirlooms, and utilitarian objects through subversion.
(UPDATED July 28, 2026 10:52 UTC)
A collection of over 100 dolls created by the renowned artist Betye Saar is currently on display at the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan. This exhibition comes as a tribute to Saar, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday. Visitors can explore the unique artistry and cultural significance of her work at this special event.
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(UPDATED July 28, 2026 05:56 UTC)
A remarkable exhibition featuring over 100 of Betye Saar's dolls is currently on display at the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan. The showcase is complemented by a documentary titled "Betye Saar: Ready to Be A Warrior," which was produced and directed by Angela Robinson Witherspoon in 2023 and includes interviews with notable figures like John Legend and Tina Knowles. This collection and documentary highlight the significant impact of Saar's work in the art world.
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(UPDATED July 28, 2026 02:51 UTC)
Betye Saar, a pivotal figure in the 1960s Black Arts Movement, has passed away at the age of 99 in Los Angeles, leaving behind a rich legacy that includes significant works like "Black Girl’s Window" and "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima." Her art, which encompassed assemblage, painting, printmaking, and sculpture, often reflected themes of Black identity, culture, and spirituality, aiming to reclaim symbols from Jim Crow-era memorabilia as representations of liberation. Currently, a showcase titled "Let’s Get It On: The Wearable Art of Betye Saar" is on view at Roberts Projects, highlighting her contributions to costume design.