Ruth Asawa: Objects and Apparitions
6–31 MAY 2013 | NEW YORK
Christie’s is proud to present a survey exhibition dedicated to one of America's most talented artists of the 20th century, Ruth Asawa. Objects & Apparitions is Asawa’s first major solo show in New York in over 50 years. This curated exhibition will feature an extraordinary grouping of approximately 50 works including sculpture and works on paper — for private sale or on loan— and will afford a rare and comprehensive view of the artist’s body of work. This exceptional three-week exhibition will take place on the 20th floor of 1230 Avenue of the Americas, at Rockefeller Center in May 2013. The exhibition coincides with the New York Post-War and Contemporary Art auctions in May of this year, and will be accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue, with original texts by poet and art critic, John Yau, and Nicholas Fox Weber, Executive Director of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. At the May 15th evening sale auction, Christie’s will offer a major sculpture from the Ruth Asawa Family Collection.
Jonathan Laib, Christie’s, Senior Specialist, Post-War & Contemporary Art and curator of the exhibition commented: “It is an honor to present this survey of amazing and singular works by Ruth Asawa. The exhibition will trace Asawa’s artistic journey from her works on paper, created while studying with Josef Albers at Black Mountain College, to her career as a pioneering modernist sculptor currently gaining international recognition. The large scope and stature of Asawa’s work will come into vivid focus in this exhibition that I had the pleasure of assembling with the assistance and guidance of Asawa’s incredible family. We are privileged to be able to present thirty-four sculptures and fourteen works on paper, with additional documentary source materials including vintage photographs of the artist and her work taken by the renowned photographer Imogen Cunningham. This exhibition is the artist’s first solo exhibition in New York City in over fifty years and Christie’s is pleased to be able to host this incredible event.”
Exhibition Highlights
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Ruth Asawa (American, 1926-2013)
Untitled (S.227, Hanging, Five-Lobed Continuous Form with Spheres Suspended in the Second, Fourth and Fifth Lobes)
hanging sculpture–copper and brass wire,
naturally oxidized 95 x 16 x 16 in. (241.3 x 40.6 x 40.6 cm.)
Executed circa 1962. -
Ruth Asawa (American, 1926-2013)
Untitled (S.147, Hanging, Five-Lobed, Double-Layer, Continuous Form with a Form with a Sphere Suspended within the Top Lobe)
hanging sculpture–copper and brass wire
53 x 13 x 13 in. (134.6 x 33 x 33 cm.)
Executed circa 1958. -
Ruth Asawa (American, 1926-2013)
Untitled (S.047)
hanging sculpture–copper wire
29.1/2 x 3.1/4 x 3.1/4 in. (74.9 x 8.2 x 8.2 cm.)
Executed circa 1980s. -
Ruth Asawa
Untitled (S.474, Wall-Mounted, Tied Wire, Open Center, Five-Petaled Form based on Nature) tied bronze wire
tied bronze wire
80 x 80 x 28 in. (203.2 x 203.2 x 71.1 cm.)
Executed circa 1960s. -
Ruth Asawa
Untitled (S.288, Hanging, Miniature Single Lobed, Three-Layered, Continuous Form Within a Form)
hanging sculpture–silver-colored wire
7.1/2 x 9 x 9 in. (19 x 22.8 x 22.8 cm.)
Executed in 2000. -
Ruth Asawa
Untitled (S.297, Hanging, Miniature Four Spiraling Columns of `Open Windows')
hanging sculpture–copper wire
11 x 6 x 6 in. (27.9 x 15.2 x 15.2 cm.)
Executed in 2000.