Ruth Duckworth: Life as a Unity

Published in conjunction with the first monographic exhibition of sculptor Ruth Duckworth’s work since 2006, this book makes use of art historical advances of the last several decades to examine her work and practice in a new light.

Ruth Duckworth: Life as a Unity offers an in-depth look at Duckworth’s practice and history, with essays that focus on her connection to geomorphology and its influence on her studio practice, her spiritual life, and how market demarcations like “sculpture” and “craft” came to shape our understanding of her artwork. Fully illustrated, the book includes many examples of her stoneware and ceramic works of abstract forms derived from nature as well as new documentation of the recently reinstalled public mural Clouds Over Lake Michigan. It features an introduction by exhibition curator Laura Steward with essays and other contributions from Abigail Winograd, Jack Schneider, and the University of Chicago Geophysics Professor, Douglas MacAyeal.