Pillows for POWER: Judith A. Ruszkowski
Judith A. Ruszkowski is a fine art photographer. She is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP) and the Pittsburgh Society of Artists. In 2010 she was the recipient of the Philip Pearlstein Centennial Award at AAP's 100th Annual Exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Judith served three years on the planning committee of Lawrenceville's Art All Night, 2011-2013. In a former life, she served as interim Director of the Pittsburgh-based Center for the History of American Needlework.
Textile arts are a traditional art form for women. I wanted my piece to pay homage to women's history as craft-based artisans while reflecting the domestic role of upholstered pillows. I chose to work with dye, lace, beads and ribbon. The pillow's design invokes POWER's sunflower motif, both through the bright yellow color and the lace-formed flowers. Just as women have used their talents over the ages, this tribute to POWER's clients and staff expresses the strength, beauty and resilience of "women's work".
The Pillows for POWER auction and sale is part of the sixth annual Sunflower POWER, a celebration of National Recovery Month, scheduled for Wednesday, September 10th at PerLora on the South Side (2220 E Carson Street).