We Love David. He is an Oakland-based glass sculptor whose work explores the intricate relationship between nature and human experience through vibrant, large-scale cast glass sculptures. He has dedicated his life to the medium of glass and all it’s beauty and complexity. He uses it as a vehicle to discuss climate-change and reflect on the gifts of nature.
David Ruth
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Masters of Fine Art in Glass Sculpture from California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA
Bachelors Degree in American History from University of California, Santa Cruz
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National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists and Writers Program (2006) Awarded for travel to Palmer Station, Antarctica, where Ruth collected texture molds from glacier ice and stone. This experience laid the foundation for his "Geologic Editions" series.
Artist Residencies:
Uroboros Glass Company, Portland, OR (2006)
Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (2003)
Musée-Atelier du Verre, Sars-Poteries, France (1987–88)
"One thread running through my work is a connection to nature. Casting natural forms in glass has given me a way to be in dialogue with nature — so rewarding I have spent five decades refining its use in my sculpture."
Ruth transforms natural forms and textures into luminous glass artworks that capture light, time, and the fragile beauty of the environment. His work is deeply informed by experiences such as his Antarctic residency, which inspired his acclaimed "Geologic Editions" series, with themes of geology and climate change. Through his innovative use of glass, Ruth invites us into a dialogue with the natural world, highlighting both its resilience and vulnerability.