Wood's liaisons with artist Marcel Duchamp, writer Henri-Pierre Roche and others associated with the avante-garde Dada movement of the early 20th century, earned her the appellation "Mama of Dada." Wood's ceramics are displayed in the permanent collections of 15 major U.S. museums, including the Smithsonian and New York's Museum of Modern Art.
At age 100, she became the subject of a documentary called "Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada," which gave viewers a first-hand look at the legendary artist, who was as famous for her rebellious and insolent wit as she was for her ceramics. Wood was also the basis for the the role of the adventurous 101-year-old Rose in "The Titanic", played by Oscar Nominee Gloria Stuart.
Throughout her life, Wood challenged the relevance of age, saying often that "chocolate and young men" were the keys to her longevity. In the last few years of her life, neither her failing health nor her failing hearing were enough to keep her from entertaining guests at her Topa Topa mountain studio and home.