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Asawa (Ruth) papers
M1585
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Description
The papers of artist Ruth Asawa relate over eighty years of her life and career, with documentation concerning her art and
commissions as well her involvement in arts education, civic art, and art administration.
Background
Ruth Aiko Asawa Lanier (1926–2013) was a sculptor, painter, and printmaker acclaimed for her biomorphic wire forms and public
art installations, as well as her activism in art education. Asawa was born in the agricultural community of Norwalk, California
on January 24, 1926, to Japanese immigrant parents Umakichi and Haru. She was the fourth of seven children. Her father was
a truck farmer, and the family worked in the fields to support the business. Asawa showed an aptitude for art at an early
age. In 1939, she won a school art competition with her drawing of the Statue of Liberty. On Saturdays, she attended a community
Japanese language and cultural school, where she practiced calligraphy. Although Asawa had hoped to attend art school in Los
Angeles, World War II and the signing of Executive Order 9066 changed everything. She was sixteen years old in February 1942
when her father was arrested by FBI agents and separated from his family for the next six years. A few months later, the family
received orders to relocate. Asawa's mother, who knew very little English, had to orchestrate the closing of the farm on her
own. They were at the Assembly Center at Santa Anita racetrack for six months, and were later moved to a more permanent camp
in Rohwer, Arkansas. Thanks in part to a sympathetic teacher, Ruth excelled in her art classes, and became the art editor
of the class yearbook. She graduated from Rohwer High School in 1943, at a time when certain Nisei were permitted to leave
camp to continue their studies, as long as they stayed away from the coasts.
Extent
236 Linear Feet
: 299 containers (275 boxes, 23 map folders, 1 tube)
Restrictions
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Availability
The materials are open for research use. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Selected audiovisual media have been reformatted and are available for access via the Special Collections Reading Room.