Ruth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental Retrospective

One of the most iconic figures of the mid-20th century, trailblazing Japanese-American artist Ruth Asawa led a prolific life of art-making, advocacy, and civic engagement. Over a decade after her passing, the last year has ushered in a momentous wave of exhibitions for Asawa—appearing at David Zwirner in her first solo exhibition in Greater China, followed by two major showings of Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective.

In a tale of two MoMAs, the enormous exhibition recently traveled from its point of origin in San Francisco, where the artist fostered a deep, lifelong connection to the city. Its arrival in New York City now marks the largest show dedicated to a woman artist in the museum’s history.

a portrait of Ruth Asawa at the San Francisco museum of art in 1973
Photograph by Laurence Cuneo. © 2025 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., courtesy of David Zwirner

Featuring more than 300 of Asawa’s artworks spread across a whopping 16,000 square feet, the expansive collection documents the artist’s six-decade-long career. You can expect to get a close look at her groundbreaking wire sculptures, intimate paintings, drawings, and prints, as well as bronze casts and monumental public works.

Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective opens at the Museum of Modern Art on October 19, where it will be on view until February 7, 2026. Explore more from Asawa on Colossal, and delve further into her practice through her estate’s website.

installation view of 'Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective' at the Museum of Modern Art
Installation view of ‘Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective.’ Photo by Jonathan Dorado, © 2025 The Museum of Modern Art, New York
a lithograph by Ruth Asawa of a reddish pink peony against a background of dark blue
“Poppy” (1965), lithograph, 30 1∕16 × 20 9∕16 inches, edition of 20. Image © 2025 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., courtesy of David Zwirner
a long, hanging wiry bulbous sculpture by Ruth Asawa
“Untitled (S.398, Hanging Eight-Lobed, Four-Part, Discontinuous Surface Form within a Form with Spheres in the Seventh and Eighth Lobes)” (1955), brass wire, iron wire, and galvanized iron wire, 8 feet 8 1/2 inches × 14 1/2 × 14 1/2 inches. Image © 2025 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., courtesy of David Zwirner
a densely stamped work from Ruth Asawa creating texture on paper, made from the letters B, M, and C.
“Untitled (BMC.145, BMC Laundry Stamp)” (1948–49), stamped ink on fabric sheeting, 36 3/4 × 45 1/2 inches. Image © 2025 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., courtesy of David Zwirner
installation view of 'Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective' at the Museum of Modern Art
Installation view of ‘Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective.’ Photo by Jonathan Dorado, © 2025 The Museum of Modern Art, New York
installation view of 'Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective' at the Museum of Modern Art
Installation view of ‘Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective.’ Photo by Jonathan Dorado, © 2025 The Museum of Modern Art, New York
installation view of 'Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective' at the Museum of Modern Art
Installation view of ‘Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective.’ Photo by Jonathan Dorado, © 2025 The Museum of Modern Art, New York
installation view of 'Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective' at the Museum of Modern Art
Installation view of ‘Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective.’ Photo by Jonathan Dorado, © 2025 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Ruth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental Retrospective appeared first on Colossal.

©

Related Posts

Ruth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental RetrospectiveRuth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental Retrospective
One Galaxy S26 Ultra Case Glows in...
Most people buy a phone case the same way they...
Read more
Hard Maple - A church of natureHard Maple - A church of nature
Raw naturalism and the sweet side of...
Sometimes referred to as ‘rock maple,’ hard maple is known...
Read more
Ruth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental RetrospectiveRuth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental Retrospective
How to stay healthy while working with...
We are very dependent on our computers for both work...
Read more
Ruth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental RetrospectiveRuth Asawa Arrives in New York with a Monumental Retrospective
Top 5 summer essentials you absolutely need...
Summertime means there is excitement in the air, pina coladas...
Read more
A wood engraving by Matt Roussel featuring a face in the silhouette of a cat with flowers and a snake.A wood engraving by Matt Roussel featuring a face in the silhouette of a cat with flowers and a snake.
Delicately Carved Wood Engravings Are Transformed into...
All images © Matt Roussel, shared with permission Characterized by the...
Read more
hand-printed bedding. / sfgirlbybayhand-printed bedding. / sfgirlbybay
getting graphic.
the trend to get graphic doesn’t seem to be going...
Read more