Ruth Kalla Ungerer resumed her artistic career 13 years ago, after serving for 30+ years as a senior development officer in New York, most notably with the Committee for Economic Development, Literacy Partners of New York City, the New School for Social Research and the Population Council.
Kalla Ungerer attended Pennsylvania State University and earned her BFA at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
In 2019 Ungerer completed her second residency with Mr. Zhang Dongmin in his Zhuo Yi Studio in Song Village outside of Beijing, China. The village is home to 13,000 artists and individuals working in related arts fields.
Recent Exhibitions include:
“Femme,” an online exhibition presented by Art Fluent, Sandwich, Ma, celebrating women, their allure, and their place in humanity.
“2020 People, Politics, Planet,” online exhibition, Artist Collective, Westport, CT
“TOGETHER,” a 2020 virtual exhibition, Nowaboutart.com
Best in Show, “Small is the New Big,” 2020, Rene Soto Gallery, Norwalk, CT
“Gesture and Motion," Site: Brooklyn Gallery, March-April 2020, Brooklyn, NY
15th Annual “Small Works” show, 440 Gallery, December 2019, Brooklyn, NY
Among the 42 international graphic artists chosen via a three-round jury process for the “Mini Print Berlin 2018” Exhibition at Galleri Heike Arndt DK, Berlin, Germany
The 2nd Annual International Miniature Printmaking Exhibition, Authentic Marks, 2018, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
11th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition 2017, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT, and shown at Julio Valdez's Project Space, New York, NY. Also juried into CCP’s 3rd and 4th Footprint exhibitions.
Best in Show Charles J. Beran award winner, the 98th Annual Juried Exhibition, The Bendheim Gallery of the Greenwich Arts Center, Greenwich, CT
The 19th and 20th Mini Print International Exhibition at The Ink Shop Printmaking Center & Olive Press in Ithaca, NY.
"Art on the Line," 2015 exhibition of The Women's Association of Hong Kong, Ltd., Hong Kong
Artist Statement
My passion is to transform observations of people and places into works that elevate nuances discovered and perceived. My printmaking draws upon centuries-old printmaking techniques as I push the envelope to create contemporary images, mostly focused on the human form. In creating my “Body of Work,” I strive for results that are playful, sometimes provocative, that resonate with or surprise the observer. I employ a range of traditional and modern printmaking techniques, including lithography, engraving, drypoint, etching. The deft pressure of the press and distinctive qualities of papers used add to the diversity of line and texture achieved.
The simplicity of line enables an artist to capture the essence of an emotion. Picassso, Matisse, Louise Bourgeois and numerous other artists drew singular lines to convey their perspective of life experiences. I seek to emulate their work in creating my own linear works, most especially my stone lithograph “Come Play” and my engravings.
