Overview

Ruth Aizuss Migdal's paintings and wood sculptures were abstract until 1971 when she began exploring the female figure. Ruth now works in bronze and steel, creating large abstracted figurative sculptures. After a workshop in mold making at an International Sculpture Conference In Washington, DC in 1990, Ruth switched to bronze, concentrating on exploring the female torso in its many complexities. She continues to use bronze because of its permanence and flexibility. The sculptures vary in size and scale from larger than life to breast paperweights as small as three inches in diameter. 

The public sculpture with which she is now deeply involved continued to explore the female torso on a larger-than-life scale. Fabricated in steel, they are celebrations expressed in dance and painted in a vivid red. Her education includes a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from the University of Illinois in Champaign, both in Painting and Printmaking. In 2019, Ruth received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University at Illinois Chicago. As she turned to sculpture, her classical education enabled her to master a variety of materials. She worked with clay from 1971 to 1990.

Education:

• 2019: Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters University of Illinois, Chicago
• 1958: MFA, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.
• 1954: BFA School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Positions:

• Professor of Art, Harold Washington College, 1989 to 1996.
• Associate Professor, Loop College (Chicago City Colleges), 1984 to 1989.
• Assistant Professor, Malcolm X College (Chicago City Colleges), 1969 to 1981.
• Lecturer, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1968-1969
• Lecturer, Columbia College, Chicago, 1967-68

Visiting Artist Lecturer:

• April 1988 University of Montana, Missoula, MT
• May 11, 1996 Society of the Arts, Religion and Contemporary Culture, New York, NY

Service:

• Art Department Coordinator, City Colleges of Chicago, 1975 to 1987.
• Art Department Coordinator, Loop College, 1982 to 1986.
• Art Department Coordinator, Harold Washington College, 1990 to 1992.
• Radio Reviews,” City Colleges Arts in Review,” WNIB Radio, Chicago, 1981 to 1985.
• Twenty four reviews of Chicago Art Exhibits of eight minutes each

Prizes & Honors:

• 2014-2016: “Celebrate”, accepted into theSculptfusion exhibition in Michigan City, Indiana
• 2011; the painting “Dana Revisited” 1962, oil on Linen, donated to the Krannert Art Museum by a collector
• 2011: Community Art Assistance Program Grant, Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture
• 2009: Atrom Gallery; Women in the Arts Winner’s Exhibition. Sixth place, International Contest.
• 1995: Special Assistance Grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
• 1981: Illinois Arts Council Grant.
• 1973: Art Institute of Chicago, Juried Chicago Vicinity Exhibit, Pauline PalmerPrize.
• 1961: Art Institute of Chicago, Juried Chicago Vicinity Exhibit, William Bartel Prize.
• 1961: Honorable Mention, Old Orchard Annual Art Fair.

Conferences:

• 1995: The 29th Annual Meeting of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, March 22 – 25, Minneapolis, MN. Hosted by the Department of Art, University of Minnesota.
• 1994: College Art Association Annual Conference, New York, NY.
• 1994: Workshop, Second International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Shloss Furnace National Landmark and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
• 1993: Workshop, Iron Casting Sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
• 1992: College Art Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
• 1991: Bronze Workshop, Seven days. Riverdog Foundry, Shimacum, WA.
• 1989: College Art Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA

Public Service:

• 1975-91 Board member, Victory Garden Theater. (since 1991, Board Member Emeritus)
• 1971 Paul Sills: Lights and Special Effects. Story Theater.
• 1969 Lights and Visuals. Free Theater.
• 1969 Light Show, Union Station; Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Published Articles and Statements:

• 1988 “A Statement.” The Creative Woman, Vol. 9, no. 3, p. 31.
• 1989 “Michiko Itatani: Contemporary Painter: About the Artist,” The Creative Woman, Vol. 10, no. 1, p. 24.
• 1990 “Sofia Wishkind.” The Creative Woman, Vol. 10, no. 2, p. 35.
• Citations:
• 1992 Art in America, by David Bourdon, (Sept.) p. 54.
• 1986 Art Listings, New York Magazine (Jan. 6) p. 81 (Jan. 13) p. 79.
• 1986 Art Now, New York Gallery Guide (Jan issue) p. 36.
• 1985 Art Now, New York Gallery Guide (Oct.) p. 45; Dec. pp. 17, 36.
• 1985 Art Listings, New York Magazine (Oct. 28) p. 180; (Nov. 11), p. 153; (Nov. 18), p. 121; (Nov. 25), p. 129; (Dec. 2), p. 196; (Dec.16), p. 122; (Dec. 23), p. 181.1985 Sunday Art Listings, New York Times, (Oct. 13), p. 22; (Oct. 20), p. 25A; (Oct. 27), p. 25B; (Nov. 3), p. 28; (Nov. 10), p. 22B; (Nov. 17), p. 22B.
• 1983 “Chicago Artists Expose Themselves” The Reader, (May), Sec. 1, p. 6.
• 1983 The Herald, Chicago (May 4), pp. 10, 32.
• 1983 Grey City Journal, Chicago (Apr. 29), p. 4.
• 1977 “Promising Note Turns Sour at Art Institute of Chicago,” by Alan Artner. Chicago Tribune (Feb. 20).
• 1976 Review of exhibit at the Viridian Gallery, New York. Arts Magazine (Dec.), p. 41.
• 1974 Chicago Sun Times (May 14), p. 64.
• 1973 “Prize Art Sparkles at the Institute,” by Marshall Rosenthal. Chicago Daily News (Mar. 8), p. 28.
• 1972 Chicago Sun Times (Feb. 27), p. 11.
• 1968 Chicago Sun Times (May 26), Sec. 3, p. 12.
• 1964 “Youthful Artists Excellent in Momentum Exhibit.” Chicago American,
• 1963 “The Chicago Show, Harsh and Pleasant Surprises.” Chicago Tribune (Apr. 21).
• 1963 “New Exhibit Opens at Michellini’s Gallery.” Evanston Review (Aug. 31), p. 63.1963 “Chicago Show at Museum Wins Praise.” Tocoma News Tribune (Sept. 22).
• 1962 “New North Shore Gallery.” by Frank Holland. Chicago Sun-Times (Apr. 29), p. 3.1962 “Chicago and Vicinity Exhibit is Best Since 1955,” by Frank Schultz. Chicago Daily News (May 5), p. 18.1961 “Ruth Migdal Paintings Exhibited at Library Club.” Winnetka Talk (Oct. 12).

Professional Societies:

• Chicago Artist’s coalition (Founding member and first Chairperson 1974)
• Arts Club of Chicago, 1964 to present.
• College Art Association, 1989 to present.
• International Sculpture Center, 1989 to present.
• Chicago Artist Discussion Group, 1982 -1990.
• Womens’ Caucus for Art.
• American Women For International Understanding
• Chicago Chapter of the International Sculpture Center
• Koehnline Museum of Art Symbolism, Myth, and Ritual, 2007

Public Sculpture:

• 2020 – 2022 Red Dancing Cloud Tree, Morrison Gallery, Kent, CT 
• 2020 – 2021 Dancing with the Angels, Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago,
• 2019 – 2024    Celebrate, Chicago Parks District at Devon & Kedzie
• 2019 – 2021 Here, Harbor Park Sculpture Walk, Kenosha, WI
• 2019 – 2020    Red Dancing Cloud Tree, Mica Buildings 2261 N Milwaukee, Chicago, IL
• 2019 – 2021 Ascending, Skate Park, Rt 12 & Willard Ave, Michigan City, IN
• 2019 – 2021 Strong Circus Lady, City of Evanston Art Leasing Program, Eiden Park, Evanston, IL
• 2019 – 2020 La Diva I, Bessie Smith Cultural Center at the African American Museum, Chattanooga, TN
• 2018 – Extended Loan Radiate, Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds, Old Lyme, CT
• 2018 – Extended Loan Diana, Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds, Old Lyme, CT
• 2018 – Extended Loan Metamorphosis, Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds, Old Lyme, CT
• 2018 – Extended Loan Virginia, Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds, Old Lyme, CT
• 2018 – 2020 Flappers, Rockford Sculpture Walk, Rockford, IL
• 2018 – 2019 La Diva III, 7th Annual Sculpture Exhibit, Diversey & Pinegrove, Chicago, IL
• 2018 – 2019 Ascending, 855 W Aldine, Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL
• 2017 – Extended Loan La Diva II, Public Art League, Champaign-Urbana, IL
• 2017 – Extended Loan Red Tree, Sculpture Fields, Chattanooga, TN
• 2017 – 2020 Whirling Dervish, East Garfield Park, Chicago, IL
• 2017 – 2019 Summer Tree, Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, McCormick Place
• 2017 – 2019 Here,  Acre of Art, Sculpture Valley,  Appleton, WI
• 2017 – 2018 La Diva III, 6th Annual Sculpture Exhibit, 2850 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL
• 2017 – 2018 Flappers, Pleasant Prairie, WI
• 2016 – Extended Loan Streemers, Sculpture Fields, Chattanooga, TN
• 2016 – 2019 La Diva 1, MLK District Sculpture Exhibition, Chattanooga, TN
• 2016 – 2017 Red Tree, North Avenue & Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL
• 2016 – 2017 La Diva III, 5th Annual Sculpture Exhibit, Wrightwood & Halsted, Chicago, IL
• 2016 (summer) Streemers, “Downtown Expressions,” Stamford, CT
• 2016 (summer) La Diva I, “Downtown Expressions,” Stamford, CT
• 2015 – 2017 Flappers, Harbor Park Sculpture Walk, Kenosha, WI
• 2015 – 2017 Radiate, Purdue University, N Central Sculpture Park,Westville, IN
• 2015 – 2017 La Diva II,  Hotel Indigo, Columbus, IN
• 2015 – 2016 La Diva III, 4th Annual Sculpture Exhibit, Diversey & Pinegrove, Chicago, IL
• 2015 – 2016 Here, Tuley Park, Chicago Park District, Sculpture in the Park
• 2014 – 2021 Flamenco Revisited, Robert C Porter Family Park, Champaign, IL
• 2014 – 2018 Celebrate, Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN
• 2014 – 2017 Whirling Dervish, Chicago Park District, Sculpture in the Parks, Douglas Park, Chicago, IL
• 2014 – 2016 Flamenco, Columbus Indiana Sculpture Biennial, IN
• 2014 – 2015 Here, “Nature In Motion” Sculpture Exhibition, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
• 2014 – 2015 Strong Circus Lady, Bridgeport Art Center
• 2014 (summer) Release, Governors State University, IL
• 2013 – 2015 La Diva II, Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI
• 2013 – 2015 Flappers, Purdue Univ, N Central Sculpture Park,Westville, IN
• 2013 – 2014 Here, Sculpture in the Park, Mt. St. Mary Park, St. Charles, IL
• 2013 – 2014 Celebrate, Located on Wells & Burton, Chicago, IL
• 2013 – 2014 Flamenco Revisited, “Sculpture on the Boulevards, Independence Blvd & Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL
• 2012 – 2015 La Diva III, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
• 2012 – 2014 La Diva I, Purdue Univ, N Central Sculpture Park,  Westville, IN 
• 2012 – 2013 Here, Chicago Sculpture Exhibit, Dickens & Lincoln Park West
• 2012 – 2013 Flamenco Revisited, Chicago Park District & Chicago Sculpture International Outdoor Exhibition, Chicago, IL
• 2012 – 2013 La Diva II, Public Art Edina Annual Rotating Sculpture Exhibit, Edina, MN
• 2011 – 2014 Whirling Dervish, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI 
• 2011 – 2013 Flappers, Chicago Sculpture International Exhibit, Franklin Blvd & Sacramento, Chicago, IL
• 2011 (summer) Flappers, Art Chicago, Merchandise Mart, Chicago
• 2010 – 2012 La Diva III, Lincoln Park Sculpture Exhibit, Southport Ave, Chicago
• 2010 – 2012 La Diva II, Lincoln Park Sculpture Exhibit, Southport Ave, Chicago
• 2010 – 2012 La Diva I, Lincoln Park Sculpture Exhibit, Southport Ave, Chicago
• 2010 – 2011 Whirling Dervish,  Art Prize, Grand Rapids, MI
• 2010 – 2011 Flamenco, Art Chicago, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Museum Collections:

• 2011 Dana Revisited, 1962 Oil on Linen, Krannert Museum, Champaign, IL
• 2010 Amazons, Bronze, Koehnline Museum of Art, Des Plaines, IL
• 2010 Red Dancers, Steel, Painted Red, Koehnline Museum of Art, Des Plaines, IL
• 2007 – 2019 Juno, Bronze, Koehnline Museum of Art, Des Plaines IL

National Solo Exhibits:

• 1996 University of Illinois, Springfield, Springfield, IL
• 1992 Virginia Lust Gallery, New York, NY
• 1986 Elaine Starkman Gallery, New York, NY
• 1978 Veridian Gallery, New York, NY
• 1964 Tacoma Museum, Tacoma, WA (one person show)
• 1956 University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

National Group Exhibits:

• 2020 Krannert Museum, Link Gallery, Univ of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL 
• 2011 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Alumni Exhibit
• 2009 Raising Our Voices, Women’s Caucus Art, St. Louis, MO
• 2008 The Women’s Museum, JWAN Exhibit at WCA, Dallas, TX
• 1996 University of Illinois, Springfield, Springfield, IL (solo)
• 1995 Two Person Exhibit, University of Illinois, Springfield, Springfield, IL
• 1991 Wolf Gallery, Townsend, WA
• 1986 Rockford Art Museum, Fetish Exhibit, Rockford, IL
• 1985 Veridian Gallery, Alumni Show, New York, NY
• 1985 Albright Knox Gallery, Buffalo, NY
• 1979 Springfield Art Association, Women in Art, Springfield, IL
• 1965 Honomura Gallery, Detroit, MI
• 1964 Tacoma Museum, Tacoma, WA
• 1963 Henry Gallery, Seattle, WA, (traveling show)
• 1962 American Gallery, New York, NY 
• 1958 Decatur Art Center, 13th annual exhibit ,Decatur, IL 
• 1957 Eighth Annual Christocentric Festival, Champaign, IL

Chicago Area Exhibits:

• 2017 Matthew Rachman Gallery, Chicago, IL (two-person exhibit)
• 2012 “6 to the 3,” Chicago Sculpture International, Expo Chicago, Chicago, IL
• 2012 23rd International Sculpture Conference, Chicago, IL
• 2011 Koehnline Museum of Art, “From Artemesia to Frida”
• 2010 Chicago Sculpture International, Koehnline Museum of Art
• 2010 Art Chicago, “Concurrent,” Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
• 2010 “No Place Like Home,” Koehnline Museum of Art, Des Plaines, IL
• 2010 “Off Center” Chicago Women’s Art Caucus,  ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 2010 Chicago Sculpture International, Garfield Park Conservatory
• 2009 Artrom Gallery, Women in the Arts, 6th place winner
• 2009 “The Emotional Body,” Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 2008 Annual Members’ Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 2007 Peter Jones Gallery CWCA/Chicago Artist Month, Chicago, IL
• 2007 “Peace Tower,” Chicago Cultural Center/Mark di Suvero, Chicago, IL
• 2007 “Sculpture Invasion,” Koehnline Museum of Art; Oakton Community College in partnership with Chicago Sculpture International
• 2006 Renaissance Court Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
• 2004 “Chicago Sculptors on the Move,” Chicago, IL
• 2004 Foundry Art Metal Art Gallery, Chicago, IL (solo)
• 2003 Foundry Art Metal Art Gallery, Chicago, IL (solo)
• 2003 Chicago Solution Show Gallery on the Lake, Chicago, IL
• 2002 Beverly Art Center Competition, Chicago, IL
• 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 Chicago Art Open, Chicago, IL
• 1995 “Corpus Mundi” Pangaea Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 1995 “Her Name is Wild Woman” Pangaea Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 1994 Chicago International Art Exposition, Lakeside Gallery Sculpture
• 1994 “10,000 Plus Exhibition,” SAIC, Chicago, IL
• 1993 Gallery 1633, “Coyote Walk,” Chicago, IL
• 1988 Beverly Art Center Competition, Chicago, IL
• 1985 “Labyrinth,” Arc Gallery, Artist’s Discussion Group, Chicago, IL
• 1983 Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1983 Hyde Park Art Center, “Continuity and Change,” Chicago, IL
• 1980 Chicago City Colleges, Art Faculty Exhibit, Sears Tower, Chicago
• 1978 “Chicago Self Portrait,” Nancy Lurie Gallery (group), Chicago, IL
• 1978 Archives, 5” X 7” exhibit, Name Gallery, MCA, Chicago, IL
• 1978 Chicago City Colleges Art Faculty Show, Truman College, Chicago 
• 1978 Weighardt Gallery, Evanston Arts Center, IL (solo)
• 1976 Hyde Park Art Center’s Retrospective, Chicago, IL
• 1975 Pamplemousse Gallery, Chicago, IL (solo) 
• 1974 Michael Wyman Gallery, Chicago, IL (solo)
• 1973 Le Chat Bernard Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 1972 Suburban Fine Arts Center Invitational, Highland Park, IL 
• 1969 Participating Artists of Chicago, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1968 Main Street Gallery, “Five Abstractionists,” Chicago, IL
• 1968 Deer Path Art League Invitational, Lake Forest, IL (group)
• 1966 Adelle Rosenberg Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 1964 – 2019 Exhibition of Members,  Arts Club of Chicago
• 1964 Bernard Horwitz Center, “Five Artists,” Chicago, IL
• 1964 “Momentum,” University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1964 Hyde Park Art Center, Black and White Exhibit, Chicago (group)
• 1964 Participating Artists of Chicago, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• 1963 “12 Chicago Artists,” McCormick Place, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1962 Joachim Gallery, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1962 Old Orchard Annual Art Festival Invitation, Skokie IL
• 1962 Adelle Rosenberg Gallery, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1962 Adelle Rosenberg Gallery, Chicago, IL (solo)
• 1961 Michelini’s Gallery, Evanston, IL (solo)
• 1961 Women’s Club Exhibit, Glencoe Library, Glencoe, IL
• 1961 Prize Winning Paintings & Sculpture, Old Orchard Art Festival
• 1961 Devorah Sherman Gallery, Chicago (group)
• 1960 3rd Annual Nat’l Conf. of Christians & Jews, Marshall Fields & Co.
• 1960 “Art for Young Collectors,” Devorah Sherman Gallery, Chicago, IL
• 1960 Hyde Park Art Center; Fifth Annual Exhibit, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1959 Hyde Park Art Center; Fourth Annual Exhibit, Chicago, IL (group)
• 1959 – 1962 Art Sales & Rental Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), Chicago, IL
• 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962 1969,  1973, 1977, 2003   AIC, Chicago & Vicinity Competition

• Work Reproduced in Catalogues and other Publications:
• 2018 “85-Year-Old Chicago Sculptor Has No Plans to Slow Down,” WGNTV, ruthsculpture.com/wgntv
• 2017 “Hear Her Roar,” Modern Luxury Interiors, Chicago, Summer, p. 72 – 76
• 1992 “Sculpting Clay,” Leon I. Nigrosh, p. 39. Davis Publishing, Inc.
• 1990 “Sofia Wishkind.” The Creative Woman,  Vol. 10, no. 2, p. 35 
• 1989 “Michiko Itatani: Contemporary Painter:  About the Artist,” 
• The Creative Woman,  Vol. 10, no. 1, p. 24
• 1989 Untitled #1 & #2 (drawings) The Creative Woman,  Vol. 10, no. 1, p. 13 & 17
• 1989 Encyclopedia of Midwest Artists
• 1988 “A Statement,” The Creative Woman, Vol. 9, no. 3, p. 31
• 1987 “Venus #1, 1987, (sculpture) The Creative Woman, Vol. 9,  no. 3, p. 31
• 1986 “Fetish Art, Obsessive Expressions,” Rockford Art Museum
• 1984 “Artists by Number: Group Portrait of More than 150 Artists” Chicago Magazine (May 8 issue), p. 170
• 1983 “Chicago Artists: Continuity and Change,” pp. 12-13, South Loop Planning Board, funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council & Borg Warner Corp
• 1978 “Concentrics,” Evanston Art Center, (Feb. issue) Vol. 7, no. 2

Selected Video of the Artist:

Artist Profile WGN TV, May 22, 2018

Diva III profile Chicago/Clark Street