Ruth Asawa by Ruth Asawa

Renowned for her intricate and innovative wire sculptures, Ruth Asawa was an influential American sculptor, educator, and arts activist. Her groundbreaking use of lightness and transparency pushed the boundaries of traditional ideas about materials and form. As a student at Black Mountain College in the late 1940s, Asawa began creating her iconic looped-wire works, inspired by techniques she learned from Mexican craftsmen during a trip in 1947. Despite their unconventional approach, these works were deeply rooted in the teachings of Josef Albers's Basic Design course, incorporating unexpected materials and blurring the line between figure and ground. This monograph offers a comprehensive look at Asawa's diverse body of work, including sculptures, works on paper, and more, highlighting the artist's enduring impact and relevance.