Entertainment · Books & Arts · 4 hrs ago
Betye Saar remembered at Getty Center memorial
A memorial at the Getty Center honored artist Betye Saar this week, bringing together artists, curators, friends and family.
Saar died last July, four days before her 100th birthday.
She developed her art in her Laurel Canyon home and studio, using printmaking and assemblage to express a spiritual, Black-centred and female-empowered vision.
Her best-known work includes *Black Girl’s Window*, made in 1969.
Her art often included family photographs and objects, linking her work to the family history she kept alive.
Speakers remembered her as both a gifted artist and a devoted family matriarch; she raised three daughters who also work in the arts.
The memorial ended with music and a procession, as Saar had wanted.
Betye Saar was remembered at a memorial at the Getty Center earlier this week.
The event brought together artists, curators, friends and family in the Getty’s 450-seat auditorium.
Speakers celebrated Saar’s influence as both an artist and a family matriarch.
Saar died last July, four days short of her 100th birthday.
The memorial ended with her brother-in-law Bennie Maupin playing saxophone and the band Bayou Bump leading a procession, as Saar had wanted.
- Who
- Betye Saar, the late Los Angeles artist, was remembered by fellow artists, curators, friends and family.
- What
- A memorial celebrated her life, art and role in her family.
- When
- Earlier this week; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- The Getty Center in Los Angeles.
- Why
- To remember Saar and celebrate her impact as an artist and family matriarch.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Saar died four days short of her 100th birthday.
A memorial for Saar was held at the Getty Center.
Channing Johnson, Christophe Cherix and Joy Simmons paid tribute to Saar.
Bennie Maupin played saxophone and Bayou Bump led a procession, as Saar had wanted.
- Memorial venue
- Getty Center
- Auditorium capacity
- 450 seats
- Date of death
- Last July
- Age at death
- Four days short of 100
- Bachelor’s degree
- University of California, Los Angeles, 1949
What people are saying
She was as impactful and skilful as a family matriarch as she was a gifted artist.
unlike any other studio I had ever seen…overflowing with treasures, almost archaeological, with objects patiently waiting sometimes years or even decades to be gathered, recognised [and] assembled into works of art
I’ve watched three generations of Saar women make this city’s art history something special.