Alison Saar

Alison Saar, a Los Angeles-based sculptor, mixed-media, and installation artist, has left an indelible mark on the art world with her profound exploration of the African diaspora and black female identity.

Biography of Alison Saar

Alison Saar was born in 1956 in Los Angeles, California. Her artistic roots run deep, as she was born into a family with a strong connection to the arts. Her mother, Betye Saar, a well-known African-American sculptor and installation artist, played a pivotal role in shaping Alison's artistic sensibilities. The family's exposure to the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s and frequent visits to museums and art openings fueled Alison's early fascination with art.

Alison Saar earned dual degrees in art history and studio art from Scripps College in 1978, studying under Dr. Samella Lewis. She later received an MFA from Otis College of Art and Design in 1981.

Saar's artwork has been showcased in museums, biennials, galleries, and public art venues on a global scale. Notable exhibitions include those at the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, L.A. Louver Gallery, Phyllis Kind Gallery in New York City, Ben Maltz Gallery, and Pasadena Museum of California Art. Additionally, she served as an artist-in-residence at Dartmouth College and The Studio Museum in Harlem.

Alison Saar's Art Style

Alison Saar's artistic repertoire is vast, encompassing metal sculpture, wood, fresco, woodblock print, and works using found objects. Her creations delve into themes of the African cultural diaspora and spirituality. Alison Saar's work is a testament to her ability to fuse personal and historical narratives, often acknowledging the historical role of the body as a marker of identity.

Saar's sculptures, often life-sized and emotionally charged, represent issues related to gender and race. Through her exploration of practices like Candomblé, Santería, and Hoodoo, she taps into the spiritual potential of art. Believing that objects contain spirits, Saar transforms familiar found objects to evoke human emotions, creating highly personal and culturally nuanced sculptures.