David Ruth
Noyo (Color 1), 2026
cast paper and cyanotype
21 x 21 x 5 1/2 inches
$5,000
C-lective Curator’s Cut:
Noyo expands the scale and color of Ruth’s cast paper studies, measuring 21 x 21 x 5 inches, and marks an evolution in his practice. Developed with cyanotype, the piece bathes a geological fragment in luminous blue with subtle sun-faded accents, creating the impression of depth and atmospheric light. Housed in a shadowbox frame, the sculpture encourages viewers to explore its layered surface and intricate textures from multiple angles. While Babb and Ross are intimate, all-white studies, Noyo experiments with color and presence, offering a vibrant, painterly interpretation of Ruth’s molds while maintaining the contemplative, tactile intimacy that defines the series.
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
"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."
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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)
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.
Click here to see David’s most recent C-lective interview.