May 20, 2024
The much-awaited graphic biography of world-renowned artist Ruth Asawa by Sam Nakahira ‘21 who was bestowed the privilege of documenting and sharing the life of such an amazing human being. RUTH ASAWA: AN ARTIST TAKES SHAPE released on March 20 by Getty Publications and ABRAMS Kids!
“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.” —Getty Publications
“Nakahira chronicles the young adult years of acclaimed Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926–2013) in this illuminating graphic novel debut.” —Publishers Weekly
Ruth Asawa led a remarkable life as an artist, activist, and teacher. While incarcerated as a child with her family and thousands of other Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Asawa drew for hours and was inspired to become a teacher after she attended informal classes led by Disney animators who were incarcerated with her at the Santa Anita Racetrack. Despite the racist policies at the time, Asawa would later pursue the arts, and develop wire sculptures acclaimed the world over.
“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 ‘16, Eisner Award-winning cartoonist and illustrator
Sam Nakahira ‘21 (she/they) is a comic artist and cultural worker from Los Angeles. She makes comics about overlooked histories, the natural world, dreams, and more. They include, BILL FUJIMOTO’S QUIET REVOLUTION (2022) and the anthology, THREADS THAT CONNECT US (2020). Sam’s comics have also appeared in The Nib, Vox, Knock LA, and Whetstone Magazine
Congratulations, Sam! 🎉
Tags: Abrams, biography, Getty, Getty Museum, Ruth Asawa, Sam Nakahira
