CCCA Canadian Art Database

Ruth Scheuing

Ruth Scheuing is an artist, educator and writer working with textiles. She was born in Switzerland in 1947, and currently lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia. Scheuing received her BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. Scheuing explores how textiles communicate through patterns and stories and how new technologies such as Jacquard weaving, GPS and Satellite mapping impact society. Recent exhibitions include: I Was Invited to a Space Walk, But Had Nothing to Wear in 2022 at CityScape, North Vancouver, Ancient Women in Textiles: The Jacquard Weavings of Ruth Scheuing in 2019 and Women’s Work in 2018, both at the Italian Culture Center in Vancouver, Connecting Threads in 2018 and ‘Silkroads’, in 2010, both at the Surrey Art Gallery, ‘Andante’ at Richmond Art Gallery and ‘Dreamland: Textile and the Canadian Landscape’, organized as a touring exhibitions by the Textile Museum of Canada 2012-14 and in 2017 participated at the Canadian Craft Biennial in Burlington. She has published essays, reviews and conference proceedings and was co-editor with Ingrid Bachmann of Material Matters: The Art and Culture of Contemporary Textiles, published in 1999 by YYZ, Toronto; she has been an active member of TSA (Textile Society of America). In 2010, she received the Vancouver Mayor’s Award and in 1996 the Chalmers Award in Crafts and taught Textile Arts at Capilano University from 1994-2014. She is part of TAD (The Textile Arts Department, founded with Mary Lou Trinkwon), and currently works on a AVL Jacq 3G Jacquard loom
Creator Id: 539
Social Media Link: Social Media Link
Web Site Link: Web Site Link
Virtual Collection: Original CCCA
Country of Birth: Switzerland
Year of Birth: 1947
City: Vancouver
Country: Canada
Type of Creator: Artist, Writer
Gender: Female
Mediums: fibre, installation, sculpture, text-based, textiles
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Work by Ruth Scheuing

Penelope Or 13 Men II (detail)

Work ID: 2085

Measurements: 91.44 x 792.48 cm

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Penelope Or 13 Men II

Work ID: 812

Measurements: 91.44 x 792.48 cm

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Penelope

Work ID: 811

Measurements: 152.4 x 335.28 x 30.48 cm

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Penelope (detail)

Work ID: 2086

Measurements: 152.4 x 335.28 x 30.48 cm

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Metamorphosis #4: Dark Angel (detail 1 of 2)

Work ID: 2091

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Bust #3

Work ID: 2090

Measurements: 101.6 x 101.6 x 55.88 cm

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Metamorphosis #4: Dark Angel (detail 2 of 2)

Work ID: 2092

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Metamorphosis #4: Dark Angel

Work ID: 814

Measurements: 144.78 x 190.5 cm

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Exhibition installation at Canadian Craft Museum, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Work ID: 2088

Description: 3 busts (from the left #2, #3, and #1).

Measurements: each bust: 101.6 - 121.92 cm

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Metamorphosis #5: Fish (detail)

Work ID: 2095

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Metamorphosis #7: Snakes (detail)

Work ID: 2094

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Metamorphosis #7: Snakes

Work ID: 808

Measurements: 162.56 x 182.88 cm

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Metamorphosis #5: Fish

Work ID: 809

Measurements: 144.78 x 177.8 cm

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Arachne’s Tapestry II (detail 1 of 2)

Work ID: 2096

Description: Handwoven cotton computer assisted weaving; soundtrack, produced with composer Marc Patch (text from 'metamorphoses' by Ovid); brochure with a text by Ruth Scheuing.

Measurements: 45.72 x 944.88 cm

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Arachne’s Tapestry II (detail 2 of 2)

Work ID: 2097

Description: Handwoven cotton computer assisted weaving; soundtrack, produced with composer Marc Patch (text from 'metamorphoses' by Ovid); brochure with a text by Ruth Scheuing.

Measurements: 45.72 x 944.88 cm

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Arachne’s Tapestry II

Work ID: 807

Description: Handwoven cotton computer assisted weaving; soundtrack, produced with composer Marc Patch (text from 'metamorphoses' by Ovid); brochure with a text by Ruth Scheuing.

Measurements: 45.72 x 944.88 cm

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Robe, Simplicity #9483 ou ‘Pour Rosie La Riveteuse’

Work ID: 804

Measurements: 228.6 x 101.6 x 101.6 cm + text panel

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Flowers and Leaves #1: The Analytical Engine Weaves

Work ID: 64618

Description: full title: "The analytical engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves."

Measurements: 24 x 24 x 36

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Flowers and Leaves #7: Cyborg Descending Staircase

Work ID: 64624

Measurements: 60 x 40

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Flowers and Leaves #11: cyclamen I

Work ID: 64629

Measurements: 67 x 40

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Flowers and Leaves #10: muy.rose

Work ID: 64628

Measurements: 61 x 40

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Flowers and Leaves #12: cyborg.leaf

Work ID: 64631

Measurements: 71 x 40

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Flowers and Leaves #20: muy.broom

Work ID: 64633

Measurements: 62 x 40

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#4 Active Fires Burning in Alaska, June 17, 2002

Work ID: 64637

Description: Based on satellite images from NASA website

Measurements: 76.2 x 50.8 cm

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#10 Dust Storm in the Gobi Desert, 27/3/04

Work ID: 64638

Description: Based on satellite images from NASA website

Measurements: 76.2 x 50.8 cm

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#1 Thunder Storm over Swiss Alps, Feb.2, 1994

Work ID: 64635

Description: Based on satellite images from NASA website

Measurements: 76.2 x 50.8 cm

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#3 Mackenzie River Plume, Canada, June 15, 1998

Work ID: 64636

Description: Based on satellite images from NASA website

Measurements: 76.2 x20 cm

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Three Graces

Work ID: 75764

Measurements: 68.58 x 109.22 cm

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Cyborg in the Garden, detail

Work ID: 75763

Measurements: 101.6 x 215.9 cm

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Cyborg in the Garden

Work ID: 75762

Measurements: 101.6 x 215.9 cm

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Penelope Meets Ada Lovelace

Work ID: 75765

Measurements: 68.58 x 109.22 cm

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GPS track Day 02, 2007

Work ID: 75766

Description: with technical help from Rachel Dykerman and Alina Brockie.
Photographer: MCF Lalwor.

Measurements: 17.78 x 17.78 cm

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Day 25, layer 3 from:‘to walk a line’, detail: drive with S. to buy a suit; layer Ariadne and palace of Knossos on Google Earth

Work ID: 75772

Description: ‘Walking a Line’ 2007
This is part of ‘Digital Threads’ a web project involving 5 artists, hosted by the Textile Museum of Canada, curated by Sarah Quinton and launched in fall 2007. [www.digitalthreads.ca]. These lines were captured with a hand-held GPS over a month. They represent simple daily activities, driving to work, shopping, visiting friends, walking around the neighborhood or riding a bike around the park. Although invisible, my body is an agent of these drawings. The patterns emerging anchor my memory and trace narratives with simple lines. I am interested in various technologies with complex and gendered histories and in blurring lines between global perspectives and domestic spaces. The layers represent a wider mental space facilitated by virtual technologies. They allow me to move in time and space to create links between, art, textiles, myth, technology, women and trade.


Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 cm

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GPS track Day 12, 2007

Work ID: 75768

Description: with technical help from Rachel Dykerman and Alina Brockie
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 17.78 x 17.78 cm

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GPS track Day 04, 2007

Work ID: 75767

Description: with technical help from Rachel Dykerman and Alina Brockie
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 17.78 x 17.78 cm

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Day 8, 4 layers from:‘to walk a line’

Work ID: 75770

Description: ‘Walking a Line’ 2007
This is part of ‘Digital Threads’ a web project involving 5 artists, hosted by the Textile Museum of Canada, curated by Sarah Quinton and launched in fall 2007. [www.digitalthreads.ca]. These lines were captured with a hand-held GPS over a month. They represent simple daily activities, driving to work, shopping, visiting friends, walking around the neighborhood or riding a bike around the park. Although invisible, my body is an agent of these drawings. The patterns emerging anchor my memory and trace narratives with simple lines. I am interested in various technologies with complex and gendered histories and in blurring lines between global perspectives and domestic spaces. The layers represent a wider mental space facilitated by virtual technologies. They allow me to move in time and space to create links between, art, textiles, myth, technology, women and trade.


Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 cm

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Day 18 from: ‘to walk a line’, detail: drive to work with altitude graphs

Work ID: 75771

Description: ‘Walking a Line’ 2007
This is part of ‘Digital Threads’ a web project involving 5 artists, hosted by the Textile Museum of Canada, curated by Sarah Quinton and launched in fall 2007. [www.digitalthreads.ca]. These lines were captured with a hand-held GPS over a month. They represent simple daily activities, driving to work, shopping, visiting friends, walking around the neighborhood or riding a bike around the park. Although invisible, my body is an agent of these drawings. The patterns emerging anchor my memory and trace narratives with simple lines. I am interested in various technologies with complex and gendered histories and in blurring lines between global perspectives and domestic spaces. The layers represent a wider mental space facilitated by virtual technologies. They allow me to move in time and space to create links between, art, textiles, myth, technology, women and trade.


Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 cm

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Day 7, layer 3 from:‘to walk a line’

Work ID: 75769

Description: ‘Walking a Line’ 2007
This is part of ‘Digital Threads’ a web project involving 5 artists, hosted by the Textile Museum of Canada, curated by Sarah Quinton and launched in fall 2007. [www.digitalthreads.ca]. These lines were captured with a hand-held GPS over a month. They represent simple daily activities, driving to work, shopping, visiting friends, walking around the neighborhood or riding a bike around the park. Although invisible, my body is an agent of these drawings. The patterns emerging anchor my memory and trace narratives with simple lines. I am interested in various technologies with complex and gendered histories and in blurring lines between global perspectives and domestic spaces. The layers represent a wider mental space facilitated by virtual technologies. They allow me to move in time and space to create links between, art, textiles, myth, technology, women and trade.


Measurements: 12.7 x 12.7 cm

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GPS tracks May 2008

Work ID: 75773

Description: 60 second sketch showing the orientation of the image.
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 60.96 x 60.96 cm

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GPS track with data July 6-9, 2007

Work ID: 75775

Description: 60 second sketch showing the orientation of the image.
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 30.48 x 30.48 cm

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GPS tracks May 2008

Work ID: 75776

Description: 60 second sketch showing the orientation of the image.
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 60.96 x 60.96 cm

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GPS track on May 19 -2008: “Shopping”

Work ID: 75777

Description: 60 second sketch showing the orientation of the image.
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 30.48 x 30.48 cm

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GPS track on Google Earth “Leaving Hope July 5-9, 2007

Work ID: 75774

Description: 60 second sketch showing the orientation of the image.
Photographer: MCF Lalwor

Measurements: 30.48 x 30.48 cm

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Aurel Stein at Flaming Mountains, 42°55′ N 89° 33′ E

Work ID: 75789

Measurements: 81.28 x 68.58 cm

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GPS Track July 9, 2007: Driving up Cascade Lookout in Manning Park

Work ID: 75781

Description: The White Pieces 2010
I became interested in weaving objects that looked both like towels, formal paintings such as Mondrian’s simple squares and primary colours and the idea of domestic landscape. They are inspired by traditional damask weaving in white on white, where light reflection on the warp (length threads) or weft (horizontal threads) creates the patterns. But my patterns are rather loud and chaotic, and they represent real geographic landmarks, ocean, mountains, trees etc. I also wanted to see if different modes of transportation would produce noticeable different qualities of lines. In the city we mostly drive on a grid although; in rural setting we are following larger grids or follow landmarks, rivers, lakes and ocean fronts. By kayak we follow no grid at all and while biking or hiking we may follow a path or a meandering trail. The coloured stripes of the ‘towels’ carry a variety of information and data, from location data, speed and heart rate data, route descriptions and pictures. All Computer assisted Jacquard weavings 30 x 30” 2010.


Measurements: 66.04 x 71.12 cm

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GPS Track July 19, 2008: Drive to Horseshoe Bay for a Dinner of Oysters I

Work ID: 75778

Description: The White Pieces 2010
I became interested in weaving objects that looked both like towels, formal paintings such as Mondrian’s simple squares and primary colours and the idea of domestic landscape. They are inspired by traditional damask weaving in white on white, where light reflection on the warp (length threads) or weft (horizontal threads) creates the patterns. But my patterns are rather loud and chaotic, and they represent real geographic landmarks, ocean, mountains, trees etc. I also wanted to see if different modes of transportation would produce noticeable different qualities of lines. In the city we mostly drive on a grid although; in rural setting we are following larger grids or follow landmarks, rivers, lakes and ocean fronts. By kayak we follow no grid at all and while biking or hiking we may follow a path or a meandering trail. The coloured stripes of the ‘towels’ carry a variety of information and data, from location data, speed and heart rate data, route descriptions and pictures. All Computer assisted Jacquard weavings 30 x 30” 2010.


Measurements: 71.12 x 71.12 cm

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Afghani War Rug near Massout’s Monument, 35° 24′ N 69° 29′ E

Work ID: 75790

Measurements: 76.2 x 50.8 cm

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GPS Track July 31: Hike in Cypress Park to Eagle Bluff II

Work ID: 75779

Description: The White Pieces 2010
I became interested in weaving objects that looked both like towels, formal paintings such as Mondrian’s simple squares and primary colours and the idea of domestic landscape. They are inspired by traditional damask weaving in white on white, where light reflection on the warp (length threads) or weft (horizontal threads) creates the patterns. But my patterns are rather loud and chaotic, and they represent real geographic landmarks, ocean, mountains, trees etc. I also wanted to see if different modes of transportation would produce noticeable different qualities of lines. In the city we mostly drive on a grid although; in rural setting we are following larger grids or follow landmarks, rivers, lakes and ocean fronts. By kayak we follow no grid at all and while biking or hiking we may follow a path or a meandering trail. The coloured stripes of the ‘towels’ carry a variety of information and data, from location data, speed and heart rate data, route descriptions and pictures. All Computer assisted Jacquard weavings 30 x 30” 2010.


Measurements: 29 x 28 in

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Chinese Dragon Robe on Bogda Shan range Tien Shan mountains near Turpan, 43º20′ N 89º24′ E

Work ID: 75788

Measurements: 152.4 x 127 cm

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Saddleblanket over City Mashad, Iran, 36°13′ N 30°43′ E

Work ID: 75791

Measurements: Hand woven Jacquard weaving

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View of residency in tech lab, work in progress

Work ID: 75792

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GPS Track May 24, 2010: Sailing around Bowen Island, Howe Sound

Work ID: 75780

Description: The White Pieces 2010
I became interested in weaving objects that looked both like towels, formal paintings such as Mondrian’s simple squares and primary colours and the idea of domestic landscape. They are inspired by traditional damask weaving in white on white, where light reflection on the warp (length threads) or weft (horizontal threads) creates the patterns. But my patterns are rather loud and chaotic, and they represent real geographic landmarks, ocean, mountains, trees etc. I also wanted to see if different modes of transportation would produce noticeable different qualities of lines. In the city we mostly drive on a grid although; in rural setting we are following larger grids or follow landmarks, rivers, lakes and ocean fronts. By kayak we follow no grid at all and while biking or hiking we may follow a path or a meandering trail. The coloured stripes of the ‘towels’ carry a variety of information and data, from location data, speed and heart rate data, route descriptions and pictures. All Computer assisted Jacquard weavings 30 x 30” 2010.


Measurements: 73.66 x 71.12 cm

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Ruth Scheuing weaving on TC-1 (thread controller)

Work ID: 75793

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Sogdian Child’s Coat on the Karakoram Highway, 38°56′ N 75°25′ E

Work ID: 75784

Description: Surrey Art Gallery residency.

Measurements: 152.4 x 127 cm

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GPS Track June 12, 2010: Riding a Bike around Stanley Park

Work ID: 75782

Description: The White Pieces 2010
I became interested in weaving objects that looked both like towels, formal paintings such as Mondrian’s simple squares and primary colours and the idea of domestic landscape. They are inspired by traditional damask weaving in white on white, where light reflection on the warp (length threads) or weft (horizontal threads) creates the patterns. But my patterns are rather loud and chaotic, and they represent real geographic landmarks, ocean, mountains, trees etc. I also wanted to see if different modes of transportation would produce noticeable different qualities of lines. In the city we mostly drive on a grid although; in rural setting we are following larger grids or follow landmarks, rivers, lakes and ocean fronts. By kayak we follow no grid at all and while biking or hiking we may follow a path or a meandering trail. The coloured stripes of the ‘towels’ carry a variety of information and data, from location data, speed and heart rate data, route descriptions and pictures. All Computer assisted Jacquard weavings 30 x 30” 2010.


Measurements: 71.12 x 71.12 cm

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