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Perry Lawson Fine Art

Perry Lawson Fine Art

Nyack, NY

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  • Artist: Ruth Geneslaw

I grew up in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of a tailor and a seamstress. It seemed only natural that I should be drawn to textiles. I majored in art at the University of Buffalo and taught art briefly but, after moving to New York in the early sixties, I began to pursue my interest in fiber art. The seventies saw a resurgence in weaving and other textile arts, and I was a part of that renaissance. For over 20 years I exhibited my fiber constructions internationally, and completed numerous commissions for residential and corporate spaces. However, in 1988 a confluence of circumstances, interests and a new studio led to a dramatic shift in my work. I also assumed a second career as a librarian.

My longtime interest in the sculpture of naive and outsider artists led to my own experimentation with woodcarving. Using knives and basswood, I began to construct narrative vignettes that explored social and political themes, often incorporating autobiographical elements. As my work developed over time it became edgier and resonated on different levels. I have sought to address the hypocrisy, ambivalence, contradiction and hubris of events that touch our lives. The human condition continues to provide endless material for my commentary.

Fountain of Youth by Ruth Geneslaw
  • Ruth Geneslaw
  • Fountain of Youth
Carved and painted wood
18 x 13 x 8 in