KQED's Forum SFMOMA Ruth Asawa Retrospective Celebrates Her Art and Life as Educator
Apr 11, 2025
Janet Bishop, the chief curator at SFMOMA, co-curated the Ruth Asawa Retrospective, celebrating the artist's distinct crocheted wire sculptures and their evocative shadows. Andrea Jepson, a close friend of Asawa and muse for the fountain 'Andrea,' shares insights on their collaborative efforts in arts education. They discuss Asawa’s life journey, her roots in Black Mountain College, and her profound impact on the Bay Area art scene and educational initiatives, highlighting the blend of art and community in her legacy.
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BMC Ink Stamp Art
- Before moving to San Francisco, Ruth Asawa attended Black Mountain College.
- There she used an ink stamp from her laundry room job to create art, foreshadowing her wire sculptures.
Wire Sculpture Origins
- Ruth Asawa's wire sculptures are her most famous works.
- These began as baskets learned from artisans in Toluca, Mexico, which she then closed and suspended.
Asawa's Early Life and Education
- Ruth Asawa grew up on her parents' farm and was interned at Santa Anita Racetrack during WWII.
- She later attended Black Mountain College after facing discrimination in pursuing a teaching credential.