Ruth Asawa: An Artist Takes Shape

by Sam Nakahira

“A tender and thoughtful rendering of an important artist’s life. Sam Nakahira uses the power and beauty of comics to its fullest to immerse you in the mind and genius of Ruth Asawa. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read it again!”—Tillie Walden, Eisner Award-winning cartoonist and illustrator

Brave, unconventional, and determined, Ruth Asawa let nothing stop her from living a life intertwined with art.

Renowned for her innovative wire sculptures, Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926–2013) was a teenager in Southern California when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. Japanese Americans on the West Coast were forced into camps. Asawa’s family had to abandon their farm, her father was incarcerated, and she and the rest of her family were sent to a detention center in California, and later to a concentration camp in Arkansas. Asawa nurtured her dreams of becoming an artist while imprisoned and eventually made her way to the experimental Black Mountain College in North Carolina.

This graphic biography by Sam Nakahira, developed in consultation with Asawa’s younger daughter, Addie Lanier, chronicles the genesis of Asawa as an artist—from the horror of Pearl Harbor to her transformative education at Black Mountain College to building her life in San Francisco, where she would further develop and refine her groundbreaking sculpture.

Asawa never sought fame, preferring to work on her own for her, art and life were one. Using lively illustrations and a dozen photographs of Asawa’s artwork, Ruth An Artist Takes Shape is a graphic retelling of her young adult years and demonstrates the transformative power of making art.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Art, Biography, History, Comics, Memoir

112 pages, Hardcover

Published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Asawa was born in Southern California to parents who had immigrated from Japan before WWII. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, her whole family was displaced to the internment camps, loosing their farm, all of their farm animals, and nearly everything else they owned. Ruth finished high school inside a camp in Arkansas but was able to leave when she apply to and was accepted into college. She was faced with discrimination and racism, but eventually she was able to pursue her dream of becoming an artist at the experimental Black Mountain College in North Carolina. She studied under influential and well-known teachers who helped her find her own creative voice. She also met the love of her life there. The couple eventually relocated back to California, which had just legalized interracial marriage. Sam Nakahira captures Asawa's courage, determination, and incredible talent in tender line art with delicate grey scale washes. Asawa's best known work, her innovative wire sculptures, are gorgeously rendered. Asawa's insistence on treating every activity of her life, from gardening to parenting to drawing to sculpting, as creative, is a good reminder for me and every artist that living itself can be a creative practice.

[Taylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome. Beautiful illustrations (more than one may or may not have made me well up 🤧.) Nakahira did a good job of maintaining a steady pace which is not always the case with biographies. I really felt like I knew Ruth by the time I was done reading and thoroughly enjoyed watching her journey as an artist and finding her voice. Watching her get excited as she learned from her professors made me feel excited and inspired as well.

There were definitely some serious topics as the book starts off with Ruth as a young teen living in California with her family right before the attack on Pearl Harbor which completely turns their life upside down in the worst ways. But the narrative was generally positive and handled these topics with respect but didn’t dwell too long on what I imagine was a lot more trauma than what was expressed in this graphic novel. Which I appreciated because I don’t like reading about WWII and just wanted to read about the art and artist.

The graphic novel itself was awesome but at the end, there were also lots of pictures, more biographical information (including her advocacy for art in public education), as well as information about where one might go to see Asawa’s art. Time to plan a trip to San Francisco. 😄

[Mai H.]

Memoir March TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications

[Jessica Park Rhode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely line art. Would read anything Sam makes. No notes. Would read again.

I liked Ruth Asawa’s work before but I love when I like a creator more after reading about who they are.

“Living and art are one and the same thing”

[maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

artist ruth asawa and artist sam nakahira both shine & take shape in this graphic novel :,)

sam, you're a superstar and you captured ruth's artistic life - so entangled in JA history - beautifully!

[vic]

so so cool

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Ruth Asawa: An Artist Takes Shape is a graphic novel that shares the story of Ruth Asawa - a Japanese-American artist who endured (along with her family) and survived being put in an interment camp during WW2.
This was such a great tribute to this artist, and I found the colours used added emotion and were representative of the time period, the struggles faced, and the war. This is a great book forvany child to read in KS2-KS3 to learn about history, art and the artist herself as it was an inspiring and engaging read and the pictures really help to bring information to life and make it more memorable and relatable too. This lady really didn't waste her freedom after the war, and this was beautiful to see, especially her commitment to art. I did find the book ended rather abruptly, which is why I've marked it down to 4 stars, but there is further reading at the back.

[Ayesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being able to read a graphic novel about such a prolific artist is a nice way to end the week. I learned about Ruth Asawa when the US Postal Service commemorated her and her work on a postage stamp. Her unique wired sculptures are definitely a stand out in museums. And learning what she and her family went through following Pearl Harbor is a real eye-opener of the struggles families go trhough just to get through life. She did not give up on herself or her education and this graphic novel was a lovely way to learn all about the US history aspect (interment camps, Pearl Harbor, inter-racial marriage getting legalized in California in 1948, and so much more. You get to see what inspired her work and who she connect with along the way to make her dreams come true.

The novel is a quick read, but so detailed and well drawn, the artist, Sam Nakahira, with just a black and white palette, is able to paint a lively picture of what Ruth's life was like from childhood to adulthood.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy, I cant wait to learn more about her.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographical graphic novels I’ve read.

[Aiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love, respect and admiration for Ruth Asawa grows every day with the more I learn about her art & life. This YA graphic novel is a great way to learn about her before deep diving into heavier texts!

[J MaK · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.0) “Living and art are one and the same thing”.

This graphic biography deepened my appreciation for artists who find joy and fulfillment in the process of creating. Ruth Asawa was able to leave a legacy without committing to celebrity in a fame driven society.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Nakahira is an immesely skilled and empathtic artist and this shines through in "Ruth Asawa".

I first requested this title as I was familiar with Asawa's beautiful sculptures and vaguely aware of her story. However, I did not for a moment imagine a biography so, tender is the word I want to use, but also, aesthetically stunning, authentic, accurate, sensitive to Asawa's art. Yet it was also truthful about the Asawa history, their life on their farm, and the travesties Asawa endured as a displaced Japanese Amaerican in WWII after the bombing of Pearl Harbour

After the war, life did not get any easier for Asawa, especially as she fell in love with a white American architect. She moved to San Fransisco which at the time had a burgeoning art movement and this is reflected in some of Asawa's sculptures, in their fluid shapes and forms

I absolutely adored Imogen Cunningham, also an artist. A brittle stalwart who encouraged Asawa in her art (and to retain her Japanese name)

This book is simply beautiful and it warms my heart that it is an honest account of the life of one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century. Telling an artists story through art is absolutely perfection in my humble opinion and creates a charming account that is accessible to all ages

Thank you to Netgalley for this beautiful biography ARC. My Review is left of my own volition and all opinions are my own

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm struck by how lucky Ruth Asawa was. Even though she was moved into Japanese detainment camps during World War II, she still had options to go to college (even with her family back in camps), get scholarships, and even go to Mexico. It gave me a very different view of what was happening in that era.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this glimpse into an artist whose name I knew but little else. Very inspired as a fellow mother and artist.

[Fran Ryougi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic tells the story of Ruth Asawa, an artist who lived in the middle of the Second World War, in United Stated of America, when japanese people were discriminated.
She is an artist and this comic tells her path trought all difficiulties and obstacles for persecure her dream an her purpose in life.
The art style is beautiful, simple and minimalist but really connected with Ruth's art, in a sort of way.
I really appreciated this reading and I loved the thematic and sincere way to tells emotions.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book that should appeal to a wide range of ages and interests. It's beautifully illustrated and the story, too, is a compelling one. Anyone interested in art and artists would find this of interest. I'd give it to a budding artist to read as a present, and I'd make sure there was a copy in every school art classroom. Ruth Asawa is a person we should all appreciate.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's an all-around treasure!

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-

[Yeppenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5) This is a coming-of-age, graphic biography about artist Ruth Asawa during a time of historical importance: The internment of Japanese Americans during WWII and the Post-War American Art scene. These topics, although heavy, are portrayed in a compassionate, charming, and digestible way.

The graphics are stunning and particularly detailed whenever farmlands and nature are involved — while this could simply be because the author and comic artist Sam Nakahira has a knack for drawing nature, it is more likely because nature was a significant source of Ruth's inspiration and creative energy.

Only one suggestion of improvement: A stronger ending, which felt like it petered out compared to the other engaging, bite-sized pieces of Ruth's story.

Thank you to Getty Publications who provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Book Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review forthcoming.

[Chris Brook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read; another random graphic novel published this year... had no idea who Ruth Asawa is but now I do! So I guess that this did the trick.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Living and art are one and the same thing." Ruth Asawa was an amazing person who overcame obstacles to live life the way she wanted. Her father fled a war in Japan only to become a victim, with his family, of anti-Japanese measures during WWII.
Ruth looked at her adversity as proof that she needed to focus on her art.
This graphic novel brilliantly uses designs like Ruth Asawa's while telling her very inspiring story. I highly recommend this because of its information about how Japanese people were treated for no reason and for its inspiring message of hope and persistence.
Ruth had children and taught them art, later influencing the school system where she lived to show how important art is for everyone.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Further reading/viewing list at the end.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a breathtaking look at Ruth Asawa’s life and art, they are one. After reading this book, gained great admiration for her perseverance in art. Ruth stayed true to her heart, which is truly commendable, especially in such adversity. Local San Francisco interest.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful graphic biography of an artist who I wasn't too familiar with, Ruth Asawa. I read about this book in the NYT, which left me intrigued and wanting to know more about Asawa. The graphic biography is short but well worth it.
Highly recommend.

[LG · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️

[Ash Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic Novel about Ruth Asawa, modernist artist, 1926-2013. She is most famous for her hanging abstract wire shapes, but she also painted,
Sculpted and drew. As a Japanese-American in WW2, she and her family were imprisoned for the duration of the war and lost everything they owned.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful way to learn about this fabulous artist. Great illustration. I appreciated the photos of the artist and her work at the end. I love her work and am fortunate to live just north of San Francisco where I can see her sculpture at the DeYoung Museum.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for my daughter at the Menil Drawing Institute's Ruth Asawa exhibit this year. This biography is well illustrated. It follows Asawa's journey from her childhood on a farm in California, to Japanese-American internment camps of WWII, to Black Mountain College, and to her professional art career and family life with her husband and six children in San Francisco. Asawa is one of those people who makes decisions for herself and stands in her truth. She overcame adversity and managed to shape her own life into something meaningful and beautiful, with deep friendships, a great career, and a family. I loved the clear storytelling and the illustrations in the main book; there is also a short narrative text-only bio at the end that is a good read, plus photos of the artist and her work.

[Caroline Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love graphic novels, I love art and I've recently gained an interest in historical tales. So when I saw the adorable cover of this graphic novel and read what it is about, I had to give it a whirl. I was delighted to be rewarded with a high quality graphic novel. I was captivated by both the illustrations and the fascinating story behind this unique artist. This would be an excellent comic to study with students, as there is so much to contemplate about the effects of war but also about resilience, persistence and the love of art.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Stacy Moll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never was a book so important as this one, we hope that we will learn from our mistakes but it is lead we do not. This books is done in a way that can reach even the non readers as it follows the life of a Japanese American after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As we watch people being rounded up and given horrible conditions to live in all because they are not originally from here, it smacks of that time during WWII. Only the smallest percentage of people living in these new camps are bad and have done terrible things. Most have not and should not be treated this way. I hope more people stand up for those today than did for those during WWII.