At Stanford, a New Initiative Will Study and Exhibit More Asian American Art

Artist Ruth Asawa’s most recognizable works are probably her delicate hanging wire sculptures. But Asawa, who served on numerous art commissions and boards and was involved in arts education, including founding a public high school for the arts in San Francisco, loved involving others in her art making.

So, Marci Kwon and Aleesa Alexander, co-founders of the newly formed Asian American Art Initiative (AAAI) at Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center, are particularly pleased with the acquisition of 233 ceramic masks Asawa made of the faces of family, friends, and fellow artists, including Buckminster Fuller and Anna Deavere Smith.

Neither Alexander nor Kwon had ever heard of this “Wall of Masks,” which hung outside Asawa’s San Francisco home, but they both think it’s perfect for the AAAI’s collection...READ MORE

Jade Fon Woo, “Chinese Night Club” (c. 1938), watercolor and graphite on paper (the Michael Donald Brown Collection, made possible by the William Alden Campbell and Martha Campbell Art Acquisition Fund and the Asian American Art Initiative Acquisitions Fund)