Ruth Asawa (American, 1926-2013), Nasturtiums, 1965 Color Lithograph
Ruth Asawa (American, 1926-2013) was a Japanese American sculptor and printmaker who also became an influential advocate for arts education. After her family was forcibly incarcerated during World War II, she studied at Black Mountain College, where Josef Albers's emphasis on material and direct experimentation helped shape her approach. She became best known for hanging wire sculptures formed from repeated loops, creating open structures in which interior and exterior remain visible at once. Her drawings and lithographs apply the same patient attention to contour, often concentrating on plants or ordinary objects observed at close range. Asawa later helped establish community arts programs in San Francisco and supported the creation of the city's public arts high school. Her work is held by the Museum of Modern Art and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Nasturtiums, 1965, color lithograph from stone and zinc in brown, orange, and yellow-green on white Arches paper. The composition fills the sheet with overlapping nasturtium blossoms, rounded leaves, stems, and seed forms. Warm orange flowers emerge among deeper brown and muted yellow-green passages, with repeated botanical forms layered across the surface. Printed by Ole Jurgen Fischer and published by the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in an edition of 20, with nine additional Tamarind impressions. Inscribed in graphite along the lower edge "TAM. IMP. ASAWA," with the Tamarind and Fischer blindstamps. The verso is inscribed "1557." "TAM. IMP." identifies this example as a Tamarind impression retained outside the regular numbered edition. Sheet measures approximately 30 x 22.375 inches. The sheet shows light overall toning and minor handling, with two remnants of old mounting tape along the upper verso. Image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.
Condition
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Dimensions
30 x 22.375 in
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Ruth Asawa (American, 1926-2013) was a Japanese American sculptor and printmaker who also became an influential advocate for arts education. After her family was forcibly incarcerated during World War II, she studied at Black Mountain College, where Josef Albers's emphasis on material and direct experimentation helped shape her approach. She became best known for hanging wire sculptures formed from repeated loops, creating open structures in which interior and exterior remain visible at once. Her drawings and lithographs apply the same patient attention to contour, often concentrating on plants or ordinary objects observed at close range. Asawa later helped establish community arts programs in San Francisco and supported the creation of the city's public arts high school. Her work is held by the Museum of Modern Art and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Nasturtiums, 1965, color lithograph from stone and zinc in brown, orange, and yellow-green on white Arches paper. The composition fills the sheet with overlapping nasturtium blossoms, rounded leaves, stems, and seed forms. Warm orange flowers emerge among deeper brown and muted yellow-green passages, with repeated botanical forms layered across the surface. Printed by Ole Jurgen Fischer and published by the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in an edition of 20, with nine additional Tamarind impressions. Inscribed in graphite along the lower edge "TAM. IMP. ASAWA," with the Tamarind and Fischer blindstamps. The verso is inscribed "1557." "TAM. IMP." identifies this example as a Tamarind impression retained outside the regular numbered edition. Sheet measures approximately 30 x 22.375 inches. The sheet shows light overall toning and minor handling, with two remnants of old mounting tape along the upper verso. Image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.
Condition
Please review the photos for a complete understanding of condition.
Dimensions
30 x 22.375 in
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
