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Building a Legacy
Discover how Betye Saar explores her life story and confronts racial stereotypes in her work
Betye Saar has African American, Irish, and Native American ancestry. The Los Angeles artist became known in the 1960s and ’70s for creating artwork that explores identity and addresses racial stereotypes. In her 1969 Black Girl’s Window, Betye layers photos and paper to share a narrative about her childhood. When she was young, Betye observed artist Simon Rodia using found objects to build his famous Watts Towers. Later, Betye collected found objects to make her assemblage Spirit Catcher, a response to Rodia’s work. Since the 1960s, racial tensions have spurred Betye to make art that confronts racism. In her work America, Betye reclaims a derogatory image, inviting viewers to weigh its harmful consequences. Betye also makes art about her family, including her three daughters—Lezley, Alison, and Tracye.
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