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Sometimes the direct sources of my subjects are as private and obscured as those in dreams. Others play off my continued interest in the beautiful grotesque, as well as celebratory symbols, notably sugar in its dual nature as enemy/friend. Sugar if over consumed becomes a kind of poison, yet we honor each other with sweets. The cake becomes a kind of altar, eating it a kind of communion. The cupcake, as a smaller form of cake, becomes a portable shrine.
Freakishly beautiful, these women with their long necks, double eyes, and medusa-like headdresses coiling out of control, are women of untouchable power. Through them I work to build tolerance for things that seem alien. If there is a place in the world where the people really are too beautiful to come out of their houses, I think these delightful creatures will likely be there.
Ruth Ann Borum
September 2007
Solo Exhibitions
2007 “The Contortionist’s Daughter” MAINSITE Contemporary art , Norman, OK
2006 “Hey Do You Want a Bite of This?” Blue Moon Gallery on Paseo, OKC, OK
2004 “Monster Mash” Electric Chair Gallery, OKC, OK
Group Exhibitions
2007 “CURIO”, exhibit shared with Jelena Stojanovic, Living Arts, Tulsa, OK
Individual Artists of Oklahoma “Back Room” exhibition, shared with McKensie Bentley.
2006 “Creatures, Ladies and Aqua Babies” Grothaus + Pearl, Kansas City, MO
“The Smile Show” Eleanor Hays Gallery, Tonkawa, OK “This is Who We Are” Electric Chair Gallery, OKC, OK
2005 “Emergent Artists” MAINSITE Contemporary Art Gallery, Norman, OK “Cupcake Parade” Electric Chair Gallery, OKC, OK
2003 “Electric Summer” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK “The Arts Thing” Lightwell Gallery, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK “Sherm” Lightwell Gallery, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Juried and Invitational Exhibitions
2007 “12x12” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK
“Momentum” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK
2006 “Momentum” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK “Café City Arts: Calypso” City Arts Center, OKC, OK “12x12” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK
2005 “Momentum” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK “12x12” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK
2003 “Momentum” Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK
2002 “85th Annual Student Show” Fred Jones Junior Museum of Art, Norman, OK
Festivals and Commissions
2007 “The Girlie Show” Oklahoma City, OK
2006 “The Girlie Show” Oklahoma City, OK
“Forward Foods” (specialty food store commissioned paintings)
2005 “The Girlie Show” Oklahoma City, OK
“Mayfair Arts Festival” Norman, OK
Commission for “Blue Seven” Gift Shop – Store Front Window
2004 Crawford Street Arts Festival, Norman, OK
Publications
NY Arts Magazine Arts Feature, January 2007
Art Focus Oklahoma Cover/Feature Artist, May/June 2006
Non-Zine Cover/Feature Artist, August 2006
Collections
Suzanne Sylvester, Melton Art Reference Library
Charles S. Givens, Hotel Zaza, Dallas
Work Experience
2005 – present MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, OK, Gallery Representative
