Art History: I Will Bend But I Will Not Break (1998)

Art History: I Will Bend But I Will Not Break (1998)

 For this week’s art history we were asked to look at an assemblage and to be completely honest, I was rather intimidated by that task as I don’t have much experience with this particular art form both as a creator and audience. After a couple of hours of just researching I managed to find an artist and a piece that really sparked my interest.

Inspiration can be found anywhere and for Betye Saar that at a Pasadena City College flea market. She stumbled upon a vintage ironing board the shape of which reminded her of a slave ship. What followed were a couple of years of brainstorming and idea development that would eventually become “ I Will Bend But I Will Not Break”.

Saar’s work is known to take everyday household objects and turn them into social commentary – her most common themes being racism, feminism and spirituality. There is so much to unpack in this assemblage, it’s incredible how thought-out each element is. The British diagram of the packed hold of a slave ship from the XVIII century. The image of a black woman ironing. The flatiron chained to the board. The bright white freshly ironed sheet hung with the KKK initials on it. The caption “I Will Bend But I Will Not Break” printed on the board. All components working to together to retell history. Saar’s speaks of the idea that once you arrive, once you get of that ship you’re slave. There is also the element of the chained flatiron combined with the silhouette of the board, also resembling a casket, making the sinister statement that you work till you die, your life’s over the moment you step on that ship. A detail that I adore about this assemblage are the embroidered initials of the KKK on the sheet hanging behind. The irony is beautiful! It so subtle but it carries so much meaning, the irony that the ones the Klan hate so much are the same people who did all their dirty work, allowing them to live in comfort.

And the title!!! No way of not talking about the caption also printed on the piece! On this one tho, I believe the artist herself puts it best “… that seemed to imply the political message that I wanted; that you can treat me as a slave and I’ll bend down, up and down to pick up cotton, I’ll bend down to this and to be a labourer but I will not break”.

In an interview, Saar mentions that the flatiron she used in the piece is like the one her own grandma used to use… I believe there is something to be said about the chain effect those historical events (which really weren’t as long ago as most would like to think) has had/is having on the following generations. However, I don’t think I’ve educated myself enough to really dive that deep yet and even if I was, as a white European, it is very much not my story to tell. I hope and would highly recommend you check out Betye Saar’s work! The lady’s been around for a long time (born in 1926, 94 y/o in 2020!!!) and has created many, many powerful pieces tackling various topics.

Resources: 

YouTube:  Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)  - 1 Betye Saar: Call and Response // Exhibition Walkthrough

Los Angeles Times -  Review: Betye Saar turns an ironing board into the story of American racism. LACMA shows how

images from LACMA

PSA: As I mentioned I am not a POC, I have tried to be respectful but if you find an issue with anything I’ve written, please, tell me so I can fix it right away.