VIOLATED BOUNDARIES

American artist Larry Ruhl’s awe-inspiring sculptures interrogate the difficult terrain of sexual trauma, survival, sexuality, and gender. He calls his creations “Deities,” and they are indeed powerful creatures to be adored and sometimes feared. Composed of doll forms, wax, religious iconography, antique texts, and fire, Larry’s figures are often non-gender specific, positing an identity beyond the binary confines of male/female. Artful settings amplify the drama, reflecting his exhibition design training. Mining both his own and others’ personal histories, Larry’s icons narrate journeys of ultimate rebirth and wonder.

Artist Statement

Click on the square thumbnails to view larger, full-sized images and to read Larry’s insightful comments about his creations.

Deity I

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity I

Wax, antique text, vintage fabric & fire, 15” x 10” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity II

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity II

Wax, antique textiles, doll form, brass wire & fire, 19” x 13” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity III

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity III

Antique wood cross, vintage fabric, wax, silk & fire, 13” x 6” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity IV

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity IV

Antique brass, found animal skull, vintage fabric, wax & fire, 20” x 12” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity V

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity V

Doll form, wax, religious cloth, antique paper & fire, 13” x 4” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity VI

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity VI

Antique gold thread, burlap, dried flowers, wax, fire & antique paper, 14” x 9” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity VII

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity VII

Doll form, antique brass, antique velvet, wax & fire, 18” x 7” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity VIII

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity VIII

Antique brass wire, wax, antique text on paper & fire, 16” x 18” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity IX

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity IX

Antique Bible pages, wax, doll form & fire, 17” x 12” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity X

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity X

Antique book cover, sealing wax, antique silk ribbon, doll form & fire, 13” x 10” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XI

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity XI

Antique brass candlestick, antique ribbon and silk, wax & fire, 21” x 7” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XII

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity XII

Doll form, antique textiles, wax, religious text & fire, 10” x 9” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XIII

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity XIII

Antique silk, antique text, fire & wax, 12” x 8” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XIV

Athena Longoria 9/2/21 Athena Longoria 9/2/21

Deity XIV

Antique rosary beads, antique religious text, fire & wax, 13” x 10” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XV

Athena Longoria 9/1/21 Athena Longoria 9/1/21

Deity XV

Found materials, wax, antique rosary beads, fire & religious texts, 18” x 10” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XVI

Athena Longoria 9/1/21 Athena Longoria 9/1/21

Deity XVI

Antique velvet, gold wax, antique text, fire & paint, 16” x 8” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XVII

Athena Longoria 9/1/21 Athena Longoria 9/1/21

Deity XVII

Antique linen, antique paper, found crucifix, fire & wax, 12” x 12” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XVIII

Athena Longoria 8/27/21 Athena Longoria 8/27/21

Deity XVIII

Antique velvet, wax, doll form & fire, 12” x 11” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XIX

Athena Longoria 8/26/21 Athena Longoria 8/26/21

Deity XIX

Antique wood column, burlap, velvet, wax, brass wire & fire, 21” x 10” (Figure), Private Collection

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Deity XX

Athena Longoria 3/11/19 Athena Longoria 3/11/19

Deity XX

Wax, antique Bibles, fiberglass form & fire, 72” x 40” (Figure), Private Collection

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