Acclaimed visual artist Betye Saar has died at 99

Key Points:

• Renowned artist Betye Saar, a pivotal figure in the 1960s Black Art Movement known for her assemblage sculptures using found objects, died at age 99 in Los Angeles; she would have turned 100 this week.
• Saar's work powerfully addressed Black identity, culture, and spirituality, reclaiming Jim Crow-era memorabilia as symbols of Black liberation, with iconic pieces like "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" responding to racial stereotypes and historical injustices.
• Beginning her art career at age 35, Saar worked across painting, printmaking, sculpture, and found objects, often incorporating themes of cosmology and occult symbolism, and continued creating art into her 90s.
• Despite early challenges in gaining recognition, Saar's work has been increasingly celebrated, with major exhibitions at institutions like MoMA and LACMA in 2019, and her induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters scheduled for 2026.
• Saar was also a dedicated mentor to Black artists, including Kerry James Marshall, and her life and legacy were highlighted in the 2023 documentary "Betye Saar: Ready to Be A Warrior," featuring interviews with prominent cultural figures.