Betye Saar (1926 – 2026)
Written and published by the SouleMap editorial team. Published July 28, 2026. This tribute was not created by the family. Are you a family member? Claim this memorial.
In loving memory of Betye Saar. Born July 30, 1926. Passed away July 26, 2026. Final resting place: Los Angeles, California.
Their Story
Betye Saar was a groundbreaking assemblage artist and visual storyteller who confronted stereotypes about Black women and challenged negative ideas about African Americans throughout her career. Best known for her politically charged works that used found objects—including her iconic 1972 piece "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima"—Saar was a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s. Born in Watts, Los Angeles in 1926, she grew up in Pasadena and earned her degree from UCLA before turning to art full-time in her thirties. Her work transformed everyday objects into powerful critiques of racism, spirituality, and identity. Over her seven-decade career, Saar received numerous honors including two National Endowment for the Arts Awards, a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Wolfgang Hahn Prize. A mother of three accomplished artists and a pioneer whose legacy continues to inspire generations, Saar was recognized as an icon of contemporary art even in her final years.
Sources
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