biografia di Ruth ASAWA (1926-2013)

Birth place: Norwalk, CA

Addresses: San Fran., CA

Profession: Sculptor, graphic artist, muralist

Studied: Milwaukee State Teachers Col., with Robert von Neumann; Black Mt. Col., with Josef Albers, mid-1940s

Exhibited: Peridot Gal., NYC, 1954, 1956, 1958; WMAA, 1955, 1956, 1958; MoMA, 1959; SFMA, 1954, 1963, 1973; de Young Mem. Mus., San Fran., 1960 (solo); Pasadena Mus. Art, 1965 (solo); San Fran. Art Festival, 1966 (purchase award); US Info. Agency Junk Art Travel Show, 1972-73. Awards: Tamarind fel., 1965; Dymaxion Award, 1966.

Member: San Fran. Art Commission; NEA Education Panel; Calif. Arts Council

Work: MoMA; WMAA; Chase Manhattan Bank; Gov. & Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller. Commissions for at least five large fountains for the City of San Francisco: "Mermaid Fountain," Ghirardelli Sq.; cityscape-in-bronze encasing the fountain in front of the Hyatt Hotel, Union Square; fountain in Japan Town; bronze wire sculptures in fountain at the Phoenix Civic Plaza.

Comments: Asawa is noted for her woven wire sculptures which she began making in the 1950s and for her large fountains. An activist in promoting art education in the San Francisco area, she fought for larger school budgets and also helped create community art projects in which children could participate. Co-founder, Alvarado Sch. Art workshop, San Francisco Unified Sch. Dist., 1968-.

Sources: WW73; Rubinstein, American Women Artists, 318-19