Betye Saar (American, born 1926). <em>Sacred Symbols</em>, 1988. Wood, pigment, framed: 12 1/8 x 13 5/8 in. (30.8 x 34.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of West Family Trust, 2015.100. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.100_PS11.jpg)

Betye Saar (American, born 1926). Sacred Symbols, 1988. Wood, pigment, framed: 12 1/8 x 13 5/8 in. (30.8 x 34.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of West Family Trust, 2015.100. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.100_PS11.jpg)

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This work includes a computer circuit board. Saar often uses computer boards and chips in her assemblages.

The symbols you see on the red frame are a mix of occult, palmistry, and alchemy symbols. Saar said about her interest in mysticism:

"In the early 1960's I began going to coffee houses, and they'd have books on the occult. I was attracted to signs and diagrams of alchemy and palmistry, and I began to use them in my prints."

Sacred Symbols

Betye Saar

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ARTIST Betye Saar, American, born 1926

MEDIUM Wood, pigment

DATES 1988

DIMENSIONS framed: 12 1/8 x 13 5/8 in. (30.8 x 34.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2015.100

CREDIT LINE Gift of West Family Trust

EXHIBITIONS

Out of Place: A Feminist Look at the Collection

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Betye Saar (American, born 1926). Sacred Symbols, 1988. Wood, pigment, framed: 12 1/8 x 13 5/8 in. (30.8 x 34.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of West Family Trust, 2015.100. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2015.100_PS11.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 2015.100_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022

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