Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa

Marilyn Chase deftly sets the scene of the Asawa family life as Japanese American truck farmers in California pre-Pearl Harbor. It is a life of hard work, honor and family. The middle child in a family of seven, Ruth is given solitary chores due to her scrappy nature.After the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, the family is torn apart in two internment camps. Ruth’s life unfolds in a daunting series of what for anyone else would be setbacks, but for Ruth, it becomes the backbone of her art and her life full of serendipity and incredible endurance. (I doubt that Ruth thought she endured anything.) Her dedication to her husband, her family, her art, art education for children, friendship and keeping everyone fed are the themes of her life.A racially mixed marriage, post-World War II anti-Japanese sentiment, advice from Imogen Cunningham to use her own name as an artist, a fierce dedication to her art, her blossoming public persona in the fight for art as part of all children’s educations (endlessly sketching at various board meetings) – it is hard to pick any one facet of Ruth to admire most. What artist could endure a discussion of whether her remarkable wire sculptures were actual sculptures, since they were hung instead of sitting on pedestals?Marilyn Chase found the perfect subject for her meticulous research and produced a book of astonishing power letting Ruth’s life inspire.

Marilyn Chase in “Everything She Touched” does a fantastic job of telling the story of Ruth Asawa, both the artist and the person. The writing is beautiful making the reader feel like they are there. The book offers a glimpse into the life of a traditional Japanese family, an internment camp during WWII, an artist enclave, and a struggling artist’s home and work life. I love the detail that went into the creation of her art pieces and found it fascinating to learn how Ruth used local talent, including children, to create panels in some of her public murals. I was aware of Ruth as a respected artist, but I feel through this book I got to know her on a personal level as an individual, a wife, a mother, and an activist for arts education. I would definitely recommend!

I have been aware of Ruth's art and contribution to the art education of the children of San Francisco schools for several years. Marilyn Chase's tome was heart rendering and brought me to tears on several occasions. I feel I had a very intimate visit with this amazing woman from her teen years through her life experiences to her death. I will be recommending this book to all my book reading friends, and hope to see it in the Best Seller lists for months to come. This is a must read for all artists and art lovers for a better understanding of how Ruth Asawa's drive and creative energy gifted so many, and as a goal for their individual contributions for a better world and rewarding life.

A lovely book telling the story of an extraordinary woman whose art and whose thoughtful and compassionate life produced a unique body of work exhibited herein. Photography is fine as it captures the echoing shadows that complete each piece. I am happy to see familiar items and some real surprises. Belongs in your library.

Towards the end of the book she's referred to having an improbable life and nothing could be more true. Stunning work, fascinating woman.

Such an interesting woman! This is a great book. I am still trying to figure out the house she lived in Noe Valley.The wire sculptures are other worldly and ethereal. Loved this book.

I never heard of Ruth Asawa and was led to this book by another reviewer. I’m so glad to know her story from this well-researched book. It’s for anyone who is interested in female artists, whose stories are very hard to find. I appreciate the work of the author.

What a fabulous read! This is an exquisitely crafted biography of an amazing artist, woman, and mother.The author magnificently interweaves her words with those of Ruth Asawa's and others to take the reader on an incredible journey through the passionate life of Asawa.

I began this book with trepidation, since most works about art and artists are written by academics and art historians, who cannot write to save their lives and are thus virtually unreadable. I need not have worried. Marilyn Chase’s writing is so clear and her storytelling so accomplished that her book is a delight to read from start to finish. Ruth Asawa deserved a remarkable biography and Ms Chase has done her proud. What an extraordinary life, what an extraordinary person, both gifted and humble, a rare combination! Highly recommended.