“What does a material do better than another material?” — Paul Lanier, Asawa’s son
Untitled (S.365) at the Oakland Museum of CA. Courtesy OMCA. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Untitled (S.365) as installed at the Oak Street entrance, 2021. Photo © Tim Griffith. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa saved the actual desert plant that inspired her tied-wire sculptures. Photo by Aiko Cuneo
Asawa working in her studio, 1963. Photo © Imogen Cunningham Trust. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Ruth Asawa working on a tied-wire sculpture in her studio, 1963. Photo © Imogen Cunningham Trust. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa and friend Mae Lee work on Untitled (S.225), 1996. Photo by Laurence Cuneo, Photo and Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa’s largest tied-wire sculpture, (S.365), in her home, c. 1974. Photo by Laurence Cuneo, Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Addie with Asawa’s largest tied-wire sculpture, Untitled (S.365), on her living room floor, c. 1974. Photo by Laurence Cuneo, Photo and Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa hosts schoolchildren at her home, c. 1974. Photo by Laurence Cuneo, Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa hosts schoolchildren to see how she works, c. 1974. Photo by Laurence Cuneo, Photo and Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa oversees the installation at the Oakland Museum, 1974. Photo © Laurence Cuneo. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
Asawa and Buckminster Fuller teaching using straws and string, 1974. Photo by Laurence Cuneo.