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# Eight Decades of Sculpture by African American Women in LA
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/eight-decades-of-sculpture-by-african-american-women-in-la/
- Published: 2017-03-29T20:09:27.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:35:39.000Z
- Description: Opening this Saturday at Landing Gallery, Signifying Form features sculpture by African American women artists working in Los Angeles between 1935 and 2016.
- Author: Matt Stromberg
- Tags: Art, Alison Saar, Betye Saar, Brenna Youngblood, Elizabeth Catlett, Events, Maren Hassinger, Senga Nengudi, The Landing, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:23 (2016, 2017, part 2)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2017/03/brenna-youngblood-i.jpg)

Brenna Youngblood, “I” (2011), mixed media on panel and found piano bench, 59 x 36 x 3 inches (image courtesy the artist and Honor Fraser, via thelandinggallery.com)

Issues of race, gender, and representation in art have taken on a sense of urgency [as of late](https://hyperallergic.com/protesters-block-demand-removal-of-a-painting-of-emmett-till-at-the-whitney-biennial/), although they are certainly nothing new, especially for artists of color and female artists. At the Landing Gallery, [*Signifying Form*](http://www.thelandinggallery.com/signifying-form-press-release?ref=hyperallergic.com), curated by Jill Moniz, former curator of the California African American Museum (CAAM), is nonetheless a timely show, featuring sculpture by African-American women artists working in Los Angeles between 1935 and 2016\. These range from narrative sculptures by [Betye](https://hyperallergic.com/decoding-betye-saars-uneasy-symbolism/) and Alison Saar, to more abstract, minimalist works by [Senga Nengudi](http://sengasenga.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com) and [Brenna Youngblood](http://www.honorfraser.com/?s=artists&aid=26&ref=hyperallergic.com). The show is given some historical depth with contributions from [Beulah Woodard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beulah%5FWoodard?ref=hyperallergic.com) and [Elizabeth Catlett](http://elizabethcatlett.net/?ref=hyperallergic.com), pioneering women whose careers date back to the first half of the 20th century.

The opening will also feature a staging of [Maren Hassinger](http://www.marenhassinger.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com)[‘](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECdWDTRp9Kw&t=1075s&ref=hyperallergic.com)s 2006 piece “[Women’s Work](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECdWDTRp9Kw&t=1075s&ref=hyperallergic.com).” Through this public performance, Hassinger will instruct participants on how to turn strips of newspaper into strands of fiber, which will then be used to create a collaborative sculpture.

**When:** Opens Saturday, April 1, 6–9pm  
**Where:** The Landing (5118 W. Jefferson Blvd, West Adams, Los Angeles)

*More info* [*here*](http://www.thelandinggallery.com/signifying-form-press-release?ref=hyperallergic.com)*.*