Ruth Asawa

Lanier, Ruth Asawa

American, 1926 - 2013

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See all 55 works of art
The image displays a frontal view of a person's upper body. The person is centered and appears to be facing directly forward, giving a full view of the face. The facial features are somewhat abstract with subdued detail and the person's hair is short, forming a slight outline around the head. They are wearing a plain dark garment, contrasting with the lighter tone of the face. Around the person's neck is a rectangular pendant hanging on a string with visible decorative elements. The background is uniformly dark.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Umakichi, 1965, lithograph on natural Nacre paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.188

Umakichi

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph on natural Nacre paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.188

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Flowers V, 1965, lithograph (stone) in red, green and violet on German Etching paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.169

Flowers V

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in red, green and violet on German Etching paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.169

The image depicts an abstract composition with dark textured shapes on a green background, resembling the silhouette of a plant or flower. The shapes create a visual connection to botanical structures.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Flowers XI, 1965, lithograph (stone) in brown-red, green and gray onGerman Etching paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.175

Flowers XI

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in brown-red, green and gray onGerman Etching paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.175

The image features swirling shapes and bold lines creating a visually striking abstract composition. Dark and light shades intermingle, resembling smoke or cloud formations. Varied textures and overlapping patterns are present, which may suggest a bird in flight or the depths of the ocean. The abstract nature invites multiple interpretations for viewers to explore.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Owl, 1965, lithograph (stone) in black on Copperplate Deluxe paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.200

Owl

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in black on Copperplate Deluxe paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.200

This is a painting of several birds on a cobblestone surface. The image depicts a group of birds with spread wings against a textured background of cobbled stones. The birds are illustrated with a high level of detail, capturing the patterns of their feathers. The cobblestones vary in shade, creating a contrast with the birds, and suggest depth and perspective. This is in the style of a monochrome wash technique.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Pigeons on Cobblestone, 1965, lithograph (stone) in black on Copperplate Deluxe paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.195

Pigeons on Cobblestone

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in black on Copperplate Deluxe paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.195

The image shows a drawing of three figures, with the full upper bodies depicted. In the center, there is a baby sitting with its hands together, wearing a checkered hooded outfit that covers its head. The baby has large eyes and a small mouth. Flanking the baby are two adult figures with distinct facial features. The figure on the left has bushy eyebrows and unruly hair, while the figure on the right wears large round glasses and has long, sketchy hair. The background is plain, highlighting the black and white figures with detailed shading and cross-hatching.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Faces, 1965, lithograph (stone) in black on Rives BFK Type V paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.206

Faces

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in black on Rives BFK Type V paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.206

The image consists of soft, swirling forms and delicate, wavy lines creating an abstract composition, suggesting gentle motion or wisps of smoke. The shapes resemble blurred clouds or fluffy cotton balls, giving the appearance of light and airy. The overall effect is dreamlike and ethereal, resembling a foggy scene where forms seem to appear and dissolve seamlessly.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Untitled, 1965, lithograph (stone) in black on German Etching paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.197

Untitled

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in black on German Etching paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.197

This print shows a network of interlocking pink lines radiating from a central red point to form a circular pattern. The shapes resemble a vibrant, stylized flower or mandala against a white background. The branching lines get smaller and smaller as they reach the edge of the circle, and from slightly before then to the edge of the print the background is a bright, vibrant yellow.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Desert Plant, 1965, color lithograph on Rives Type IV paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.177

Desert Plant

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · color lithograph on Rives Type IV paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.177

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Umakichi, 1965, lithograph (stone) in black on white Arches paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.190

Umakichi

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in black on white Arches paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.190

The image depicts the head and shoulders of a young person facing forward. The person has a smooth face with large eyes, delicate eyebrows, a small mouth, and short hair. They are wearing a shirt with vertical stripes. The background is a plain, light-colored surface. No additional objects or jewelry are present in the image.
Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute, Xavier, 1965, lithograph (stone) in black on white Arches paper, Gift of Dorothy J. and Benjamin B. Smith, 1983.18.216

Xavier

Ruth Asawa, Tamarind Institute · 1965 · lithograph (stone) in black on white Arches paper ·  Accession ID  1983.18.216

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