Ruth Asawa (American/Japanese, 1926–2013)

LOT ID: 81325

Crown Zellerbach Bronze Flower, 1979

Bronze

5.25 х 6.25 in. (13.34 x 15.88 cm.)

Signed, dated 'Asawa 1979' (lower edge); uniquely numbered (lower left) from the limited edition of 2500.
Cast by Berkeley Art Foundry (copyright stamp on the reverse)
Stamped "Designed Exclusively for Crown Zellerbach Corporation" verso

Edition 2500

Foundry/Publisher Berkley Arts Foundry

Lot description

This beautiful, original signed, limited edition cast bronze flower plaque sculpture makes a distinctive and memorable gift!

Renowned Japanese American sculptor Ruth Asawa (b. 1926) is known in her native San Francisco as the “fountain lady” because she designed so many of the city’s public fountains. In 2010, the San Francisco School of the Arts was re-named the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in her honor. She is also known for her wire sculptures and technique of creating and casting face masks of people to capture their essential expression. Born in 1926, Asawa, along with thousands of Japanese Americans on the West Coast, was interned during World War II. In 1946-9 she received a scholarship to study at Black Mountain College under Josef Albers and Buckminster Fuller. By the 1950’s she was included in several annual exhibitions at the Whitney Museum and in the 1955 Sao Paolo Biennial. Between 1959 and 1960, she exhibited in solo and group shows internationally, including San Francisco Museum of Art and deYoung Museum, Oakland Art Museum, Chicago’s Art Institute, New York’s Whitney and MOMA and the Sao Paulo Biennial in Brazil.

Ruth Asawa was also actively involved in arts education. In 1979, the Crown Zellerbach Corporation of San Francisco, which had worked closely with her on neighborhood arts programs, commissioned Asawa to make a series of Bronze bas-relief plaques, including this beautiful piece, which were cast by the Berkeley Arts Foundry. In addition to her well-known public fountains, Asawa’s work can be found at the Solomon Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY Oakland Museum of Art, Oakland, CA Addison Gallery, Andover, MA Williams College, MA Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, NY Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY, among many other collections worldwide.

This work can be mounted, framed and hung, or displayed in a presentation box or stand. Pure cast bronze.

Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Condition Report
Condition Report

The seller has recorded the following condition for this lot:

Description:	Patina
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Definition Key

History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Provenance:
Crown Zellerbach Corporation
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Shipping Carrier:
UPS, USPS, Pick-up, NYC delivery

Shipping Weight: 5 lbs

Framing: No

Item Location: New York, USA

Shipping Options:
Payment and Return Policies
Payment and Return Policies
Accepted:
Wire Transfer

Sales Tax: New York

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Contact the Specialist

Deborah Ripley

Senior Specialist, Contemporary Prints & Multiples

New York

(212) 497-9700 ext. 174 174

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Lot ID

81325

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Ruth Asawa

Title

Crown Zellerbach Bronze Flower

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Margin Area	Edge, border, or perimeter areas
Image Area	Central image, focal point of the item/image.

Minor	Existing condition generally does not involve risk of loss
Moderate	Noticeable, increasing in severity and/or size; not serious, but should be monitored or corrected by a conservator
Major	Distinct, recognizable damage; stability of the work is questionable; risk is a factor; requires the attention of a conservator
Extreme	Advanced and severe damage; work is insecure and at great risk

Ruth Asawa (American/Japanese, 1926–2013) LOT ID: 81325 Crown Zellerbach Bronze Flower, 1979

CONFIRMATION

Deborah Ripley

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LOT ID: 81325

Crown Zellerbach Bronze Flower, 1979