March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the incredible contributions women have made to culture and history, and to consider the barriers they’ve faced in all facets of life, from home to the workplace, socially, and yes, in the art world. It’s important that women’s unique perspectives and artistic visions are not only represented but elevated—and that trailblazers in visual, performance, and literary arts are recognized for their vital work.
One such woman is Ruth Asawa, a pioneering Japanese American artist, world renowned for her looped wire and cast sculptures and beloved for her unwavering advocacy for arts education. Imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp as a teenager, the experience led Asawa to a path of art making that would define the rest of her life. She was quoted as saying, “I would not be who I am today had it not been for the internment, and I like who I am.”
Despite facing racism and sexism throughout her life, Asawa transcended the barriers placed before her to achieve major success as an artist, pushing boundaries in male-dominated spaces and making an indelible mark on the Bay Area through her activism around arts education for all. In celebration of Women’s History month, we’re currently spotlighting two gorgeous books in the Museum Store, reviewed by our Store Sales Associate Maddi, that celebrate the life and work of Ruth Asawa.
Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa, by Marilyn Chase
Marilyn Chase’s Everything She Touched is a stunning tribute to the life and artistry of Ruth Asawa—a remarkable woman, Japanese artist, and pioneering sculptor who transformed wire into ethereal masterpieces. Blending biography with rich visual storytelling, Chase explores Asawa’s journey, from her childhood in internment camps to her groundbreaking work in modern art. With deep research and compelling prose, the book highlights Asawa’s resilience, innovation, and dedication to art education. A must-read for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by the power of creativity.
—Maddi, Store Sales Associate
A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa, by Andrea D’Aquino
Have you ever stood before a sculpture, completely baffled by how it was made? Wondered how something as simple as wire could turn into such a masterpiece? Step into the world of young Ruth Asawa through lush collage illustrations and text by Andrea D’Aquino, and witness how her community and generations of tradition inspired Asawa to weave magic from ordinary materials—one loop at a time.
—Maddi, Store Sales Associate