California artist Betye Saar’s poetic work explores ways of unlocking the magic and mystery of life. She creates intimate assemblages – sculptural objects combining a variety of everyday items discovered or found along her journeys. Of late, Saar is attracted to the challenge of juxtaposing science and spirit as two poles of arriving at knowledge and understanding. Her objects are rich with both personal and universal symbols of family, cultural heritage, emotions, and beliefs.
Personal Icons provides an introduction to the most recent work of this contemporary African-American artist through 27 of her assemblages. In the last ten years, Saar’s expression has been guided by such varied interests as “altered” Polaroid photography, computer technology, and the palette and forms of Tantric art. Exploring the sacred and secular “power emblems” of world cultures, Saar creates new avenues for feelings and memories by modifying the relationships among her objects and passages of painted design.