Alison Saar, Resident Artist Lecture 1993

Beginning with slides of the Watts Towers by Simon Rodia, artist Alison Saar comments on how, from an early age, that project influenced her perceptions of what art is and what it can be made from, particularly found and collected objects which have a spirit or story behind them. She continues with slides of her own work, accompanied by descriptions of materials and content; biographical information; additional influences, such as ethnic art, myths, and urban living; and her method of working. A number of her pieces have been vandalized, a situation she deals with philosophically. The slides shown include a range of media: assemblage, installations, drawings and paintings, sculpture, and fresco, many of which deal with race, gender and social issues.