An exploration of Afro-diasporic solidarity has captivated Chicago audiences, with echoes of this movement resonating through a new exhibit at the Neubauer Collegium. Titled "Let’s Get It On: The Wearable Art of Betye Saar," the display delves into an often-neglected aspect of Saar's work that embodies Pan-African ideals. This presentation focuses on how Saar integrates life and art to reflect African heritage in her creations.

Betye Saar is renowned for her assemblage pieces, which during the 1960s and 70s, investigated the spiritual and ancestral dimensions of objects capable of awakening a unique consciousness among Black communities. Her transformative experience at the Field Museum in 1974 profoundly influenced her artistic direction. A small showcase near the entrance features handmade jewelry, personal photographs, and vibrant sketches documenting her journey, symbolizing the spiritual essence she encountered within museum walls.

While the exhibition highlights Saar's pivotal visit to the Field Museum, it also reveals her connection to Pan-Africanism through artifacts such as album covers and relics from her costume design era. These items stem from performances at Los Angeles's Inner City Theatre, emphasizing themes present in her work before the 1974 trip. This suggests that her journey was more about articulating what she had always known rather than discovering something entirely new. As she expressed during Panafrica Days, her passion for creating art remains unwavering since childhood.

The legacy of Betye Saar continues to inspire through her ability to weave cultural identity into wearable art forms. By showcasing her early explorations and later developments, the exhibition underscores the importance of recognizing one's roots and expressing them creatively. Such endeavors not only preserve cultural heritage but also promote unity and understanding across diverse communities, encouraging others to embrace their own stories and share them with the world.