Ruth Asawa

Ruth Asawa one of seven children born to Japanese American fruit farmers in depression era California. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, her father was arrested by the FBI and didn't return for six years. Her mother and siblings were sent to live in converted horse stables at the Santa Anita Racetrack. She spent her time there learning to draw and paint from interned Japanese artists. Her college refused to grant her a teaching certificate because she was Japanese, so she entered Black Mountain College, where she studied under Josef Albers and met her future husband Albert Lanier. She traveled to Mexico to study art, became fascinated with basket weaving, and developed an experimental practice with wire sculpture while also raising six children. Later in her life she earned honorary degrees from several art institutions and turned her attention toward public engagement. Ruth Asawa died in San Francisco in August of 2013. www.ruthasawa.com