"Ruth's work and this book give substance to any discussion on what it means to be Canadian. This book offers a glimpse of her unique perspective as an artist, moving from an Ontario farm through the collaborative craftsmanship of mainstream theatre to navigating the rarified worlds of royalty and celebrity. Her ideas on public art have been forged in the fires of controversy around identity and who deserves honor and recognition."
-- Marilyn Norry
In Form includes the story of 20 sculptures in bronze. Located across Canada, they capture key figures from history, science, art, sports, the labor movement, medicine, royalty, human rights, World War II, business and politics.
For Ruth Abernethy, the creative process starts with her off-center observations of human nature. She puts her thoughts "in form" as she plans and engineers public installations and studio works against the backdrop of family and the evolving zeitgeist. For this, her second book, Ruth takes you on a road trip across Canada to visit installations and initiate conversations about the role of sculpture in modern public life. In Form is filled with thought-provoking ideas for study and chat in academia, book clubs, seniors, arts and business groups and for the sheer enjoyment of the stories behind the portraits of:
- Lester B. Pearson, prime minister
- Margaret Atwood, author
- Bob White, labor leader
- Isabel Coursier, ski jump champion
- Liu Xiaobo, human rights activist
- Sir William Stephenson, spy master
- Michael Holcombe Wilson, mental health advocate
- HRH Queen Elizabeth II
- Dr. Michael Smith, Nobel laureate
- Daurene Lewis, the first Black mayor in Canada.