Ruth Horsting
Ruth Horsting, also known as Ma Renu (née Ruth Carolyn Johnson; 1919–2000)[1] was an American sculptor, professor, author, community organizer, philanthropist, and a student of Ashtanga Yoga. She is known for her bronze and steel sculptures,[2][3] and taught at the University of California, Davis from 1959 to 1971. Horsting was the first female sculptor hired in the entire University of California system.[4]
Ruth Horsting | |
|---|---|
 Horsting (left) with Baba Hari Dass in 1999 | |
| Born | Ruth Carolyn Johnson January 18, 1919 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | November 26, 2000 (aged 81) Bonny Doon, California, U.S. |
| Other names |
|
| Education | School of the Art Institute of Chicago |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Children | 3 |
Horsting was the founder and former president of the Sri Ram Foundation, a co-founder of the Hanuman Fellowship, and the co-founder of the Mount Madonna Center located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, above Watsonville.[5]
Early life and education
She was born as Ruth Carolyn Johnson on January 18, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois. Horsting attended Northwestern University, where she earned a B.A. degree (1940) and an M.F.A. degree (1959).[5] Additional study was done at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, from 1946 to 1950.[5]
Career
In 1959, she divorced and moved to California with her three children.[5] Starting in 1959, Horsting taught at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), initially within the Department of Home Economics and later transferring to the Department of Art.[1] Horsting's work was often large scale bronze or steel sculptures, she used the lost wax method.[6]
In 1970, Horsting was given a teaching sabbatical and during this time she stayed at Sea Ranch, co-authored a book, and started a study of yoga.[7] She co-authored with Rosana Pistolese the illustrated book, History of Fashions (1970), published by Wiley.[7] The following year in 1971, her eldest son William Francis Horsting died at age 26, which prompted her to retire from teaching and start a journey of reflection.[5] In 1971, Horsting sponsored monk and yoga master Baba Hari Dass to come to the United States, for the purpose of teaching yoga.[5] At the age of 52, she became a full time student of Ashtanga yoga.[5]
Starting in 1978, Horsting and other yoga students and followers of Baba Hari Dass founded the Mount Madonna Center, which serves as a retreat, conference center, and K-12 school.[5] Around 100 people had lived at the center too.[5] Horsting began using the name "Ma Renu" (English: Mother Earth) while at the center.[5] The Sri Ram Foundation was founded by Horsting and was dedicated in supported orphaned children in India.[5] In India the foundation built the Sri Ram Ashram which is a home, school and medical facility for approximately 50 children.[5]
Horsting died on November 26, 2000 in her home in Bonny Doon, California.[5] Her daughter, Archana Horsting is an artist and a co-founder of Kala Art Institute in Berkeley.[8]
Art exhibitions
- 2016: Out Our Way, Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Museum of Art, at University of California, Davis, Davis, California[9]
- 1964: The Bay Area Artists, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California[10]
- 1964: Horsting with Bryan Wilson, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California[3]
- 1963: (solo exhibition), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona[11]
- 1962: Northern California Arts (NCA) annual show, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California[12]
Awards
- 1959: Pauline Palmer prize, Art Institute of Chicago[13]
Publications
As author
- Pistolese, Rosana; Horsting, Ruth (1970). The History of Fashions. New York City, New York: Wiley. ISBN 9780471690405.
As editor
- Dass, Baba Hari (1996). Renu, Ma (ed.). The Path to Enlightenment is Not a Highway. Sri Rama Publishing. ISBN 9780918100184.
- Dass, Baba Hari (1986). Renu, Ma (ed.). Fire Without Fuel: The Aphorisms of Baba Hari Dass. Sri Rama Publishing. ISBN 9780918100085.
References
- "Ruth Horsting (1919-2000)". UC Davis Art Studio. The Regents of the University of California. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- Polley, Elizabeth M. (May 1964). "Bryan Wilson, Ruth Horsting, Galerie de Tours Group". Artforum.com. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- "Crocker Slates New Exhibition". Newspapers.com. The Press-Tribune. 21 February 1964. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- Sculptors at UC Davis, Past and Present. University of California, Davis. 1982.
- Redfern, Cathy (1 December 2000). "Founder of Mount Madonna Center, Ruth Johnson Horsting, dies at 81". Newspapers.com. Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 10. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- "Barnacles 'Round the Bay: Gualala Arts Program". Newspapers.com. Mendocino Coast Beacon. 18 May 1973. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- "The Telescope". Newspapers.com. Independent Coast Observer. 1 December 1970. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- Zack, Jessica (2015-10-07). "Accolade for co-founder of Berkeley's Kala arts center". NewsTimes. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
- Bitker, Janelle (2016-09-22). "Davis' new Shrem Museum a work of art itself". SFGATE. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- "Crocker Will Open Three Exhibits Today". Newspapers.com. The Sacramento Bee. 1 March 1964. p. 140. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- "Ruth Horsting Has Arizona Show". Newspapers.com. The Sacramento Bee. 16 October 1963. p. 85. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- Oglesby, John C. (14 October 1962). "Art Views, The NCA Annual Show". Newspapers.com. The Sacramento Bee. p. 91. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
- Weigle, Edith (12 May 1959). "Exhibit of Radical Art Opens Institute Gallery". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. p. 25. Retrieved 2021-09-29.