Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthasantee/
Website: https://www.ruthsantee.com/
Biography
Ruth Santee, a California based artist, was born in Denver CO and grew up in Aurora. Her work has been exhibited in museum and gallery venues. She received a BFA from the College of Santa Fe, and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Santee is a recipient of the Cadogan Fellowship Award from the San Francisco Foundation and a commission from the San Francisco Arts Commission.
Santee is best known for her out of the ordinary way of cutting to the core of our humanness through her art. She playfully juxtaposes elements of reality with surrealism. Her Beasts adopt human narratives in her unique found-created object assemblage.
Permanent collections include the University of Oregon, the David Brower Center, Berkeley CA, the US Forestry Service and California State University Sacramento Special Collections. Her work has been reviewed in publications including the Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and the Sacramento Bee.
In addition to her studio practice, Santee is the director and co/owner of Transmission Gallery Oakland. Transmission Gallery exhibits contemporary work by local and regional artists. Santee is an active curator. She has curated exhibits at Gearbox Gallery, Yolo Arts Barn Gallery, Horton Gallery, and Transmission Gallery Oakland / San Francisco.
Santee is also active in Fine Art Education. She has taught at the California College of Art Extended Ed Program, UC Davis, Saint Mary's College, and Bakersfield College. Currently she is a tenured professor at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton CA. where she teaches painting, printmaking, color theory and 2D Design.
Artist Statement
Self-Reflection through Humor
I create surreal toy-like sculpture. My anthropomorphic creatures are reminiscent of mascots like Jollibee and the Kool Aid man. Art informed viewers may recognize influences such as Nick Cave and KAWS. There is a strong presence of the Kawaii aesthetic a Japanese concept of cuteness, in my work. Underlying themes of childhood, and identity course through my art.
My materials are post-consumer waste from thrift stores/online markets. Vacuums, air fryers, toys, and other discards are dismantled and sourced for parts. These parts are fused together with created shapes to form new objects. Gaps and flaws are filled, sanded, and painted. I have been asked if I use 3D printing in my work, I do not, each piece is unique.
A recent comment from my Instagram account:
"I like your work a lot. It makes me feel like I am living back in my childhood. It introduces me to a world where it's not about war. It's about freedom, peace and love. Everyone who is getting a chance to see your work is happier right after. Thanks for spreading the vibe." Uomo Nero, (German artist)
Rain Catcher, 2025
Found objects fused with artist created forms
23 x 14 x 12”
$825
Suitcase Puppies, 2025
Found object fused with artist created forms
26 x 21 x 17”
$1,600
Bull and Bird, 2025
Found objects fused with created forms
10.5 x 10 x 8”
$875
Running with a Worm, 2024
Found objects fused with created forms
16 x 16 x 12”
$825
Self Portrait with Snail, 2024
Found objects fused with created forms
18 x 18 x 9”
$1650