Created by
Saar, Betye Irene, American, born 1926
Owned by
Bowser, Pearl, American, 1931 - 2023
Date
1966
Medium
mixed media: collages, wood, glass, ink, paper, paint, metal (iron, brass), masonite
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall): 18 1/4 × 29 1/4 × 1 1/2 in. (46.4 × 74.3 × 3.8 cm)
Description
A mixed media assemblage artwork by Betye Saar. The collage of materials are inside a deep brown wood frame with two panes, the left pane with a glass pane and the right without. The assemblage/collage is made of three divisions, two of them in the left pane and one of them in the right. From left to right, the first division is a vertical strip of teal blue with a dark blue crescent moon on the left and an orange sun on the right against a deep blue background. The second division is the side profile of a person facing left. The etching of the side profile is a dark red brown color with a dark background. There is backward text in the head reading [HATE], [LOVE], and [SEX]. The third division in the right panel is the side profile of a person facing right against a dark blue background. In the upper right corner is a sun. The collage of the side profile is black with yellow and red metal pieces outlining the head and a dark blue background. There are red cherries, an American flag, gears, a bird, a black and white photo of a man, and text reading [SUNBURST].
Classification
Visual Arts
Type
assemblages (sculpture)
Topic
Art
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gillian Bowser from her mother Pearl Bowser
Object number
2023.59
Restrictions & Rights
© Betye Saar
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c05b2cad-4c44-4ab1-b6f0-feb46a42576a

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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