I wanted to feature African American Artists on my blog to encourage the art/art ed community to start searching/researching such artists to use as inspiration in their work or their classroom. Students need to see those who look like, live like, and experienced life like them. Great Art goes far beyond the old dead white guys most students are taught. We must make sure to share the art, artists, and stories of the African American community! I hope that those of you in the art room will use this summer to explore the amazing work of those groups you might have neglected in the past.
BETYE IRENE SAAR (1926-present)
Betye is has been creating art for over 60 years, and is best known for Assemblage & Printmaking. Her work often deals with race and femininity. When discussing Assemblage...most art teachers will use the work of Louise Nevelson (which is awesome!), but bringing in the work of Saar will add variety and create a different dialog in regards to the impact of Assemblage. As with all artists you will need to look through the images you will share with your young students to make sure they are appropriate for the age you are working. However, I feel that older/high school/college age students would really learn so much from studying the life and work of Betye Saar. It is truly a powerful commentary!
