Arts & Culture
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Sculpted from the soul
By Casey GomezPublished: September 01, 2010
Ruth Ko has worked as a hula dancer, an actress and as the publisher of a popular Orange County lifestyle magazine. For years, she was a fixture in the Orange County business community. And now, after a short absence from the Orange County scene, she’s returning – as a sculptor. “Conversations,” her first collection of works (showcased along with paintings by renowned artist Paul Ecke) will debut at the William Merrill Gallery in Laguna Beach on Oct. 7.
“Bill Merrill had seen my work at a friend’s home and started following me,” she says. “(Merrill) is one of the most prestigious galleries in Laguna, and I’m just pinching myself that I’ll have my work there.”
The exhibit will feature Ko’s clay sculptures cast in bronze or fiberglass. Some bear distinctly Asian faces and small, delicate hands and feet. Others boast large rumps and red stilettos. Many are life-size, nude women. All are striking, with a unique style. Call it “KoAsian.”
Ko began her career as a model and an actress, appearing in shows such as “Charlie’s Angels” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” In 1975, she pursued a different role: advertising sales. She quickly moved up the ranks at Orange Coast magazine, and she bought the publication in the mid-1990s. In 2007, Ko sold it for 11 times what she had paid for it.
Then she fell back in love with a childhood passion for art and threw herself into sculpting. After traveling to Bali and Singapore, and studying their grand statues with their strong poses, Ko began sculpting the human form. She allowed her Chinese heritage to inspire her clay creations.
“When I was young and my father was in the home, we had a very strong Chinese influence,” Ko says. “I went to Chinese school as a kid, and when we sat at the dinner table, if I didn’t ask for something in Chinese, I didn’t get it. Chinese culture is very calming, with a gentle, delicate demeanor. That’s the part of my dad that has stayed with me.”
She says she’s been putting in extra hours at her studio to get her sculptures to the gallery on time.
“I’m back to deadlines,” she says.
But that doesn’t bother her a bit. Ko cherishes this new chapter in her life. She’s able to wake up every morning and create something she loves.
“(All of my careers) have taken creativity, when you think about it,” she says. “Acting, publishing or sculpting – It all takes a creative quality.”
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“Bill Merrill had seen my work at a friend’s home and started following me,” she says. “(Merrill) is one of the most prestigious galleries in Laguna, and I’m just pinching myself that I’ll have my work there.” The exhibit will feature Ko’s clay sculptures cast in bronze or fiberglass. Some bear distinctly Asian faces and small, delicate hands and feet. Others boast large rumps and red stilettos. Many are life-size, nude women. All are striking, with a unique style. Call it “KoAsian.” Ko began her career as a model and an actress, appearing in shows such as “Charlie’s Angels” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” In 1975, she pursued a different role: advertising sales. She quickly moved up the ranks at Orange Coast magazine, and she bought the publication in the mid-1990s. In 2007, Ko sold it for 11 times what she had paid for it. Then she fell back in love with a childhood passion for art and threw herself into sculpting. After traveling to Bali and Singapore, and studying their grand statues with their strong poses, Ko began sculpting the human form. She allowed her Chinese heritage to inspire her clay creations. “When I was young and my father was in the home, we had a very strong Chinese influence,” Ko says. “I went to Chinese school as a kid, and when we sat at the dinner table, if I didn’t ask for something in Chinese, I didn’t get it. Chinese culture is very calming, with a gentle, delicate demeanor. That’s the part of my dad that has stayed with me.” She says she’s been putting in extra hours at her studio to get her sculptures to the gallery on time. “I’m back to deadlines,” she says. But that doesn’t bother her a bit. Ko cherishes this new chapter in her life. She’s able to wake up every morning and create something she loves. “(All of my careers) have taken creativity, when you think about it,” she says. “Acting, publishing or sculpting – It all takes a creative quality.” Get headlines in your hand at OCMETRO.com/apps |
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