what appears below is a random path through parts of more than fifty years of my father's paintings, drawings and photographs. many things he worked on haven't yet been photographed or scanned. somehow a chronological trip doesn't seem necessary because my father's work dealt with the same subject - his very personal universe

my father never spent time reading art in america, though he has a voluminous library. most of his shelves are filled with books of philosophy, radical politics and science. he has some old monographs of artists long since dead, but he spends more time reading scientific american or the new york review of books. perhaps you will see some influences here. i am quite sure my father would be happy if you simply enjoyed the work for whatever reason

rhine ruder 2009

my sister rhea ruder sleeman is the impetus behind having my father's work seen. she has spent many, many hours searching out my father's past. he was not a man to keep much in the way of records. he was always too busy in his studio to do anything in the way of self promotion and was not too keen on the idea anyway. my sister has managed to connect with several curators and gallery owners that have taken an interest in my father's work. all this work would be molding in my father's basement if it weren't for her effort

"untitled" / c. 1975 / acrylic on masonite / 32" x 48" /  photo: dan kvitka

"untitled study" / c. 1975 / pen and ink on paper /  8" x 9 1/2"

"untitled study" / c. 1970's  / pencil, masking tape on paper / 6" x 5 1/2"
      

c. 1970's / spray paint on masonite / photo: dan kvitka
      

c.1950's / oil on canvas / photo: dan kvitka
    

'untitled" / c. 1980's / pen and ink on paper /  8" x 10"
     

c. 1980 / acrylic on masonite / photo: dan kvitka
     

c.1990's / acrylic on masonite
   

"untitled" / c. 2000 / pen and ink on paper / 5 x 5 1/2"
   

"rorschach 1" / c. 1990 /  / pen and ink on paper / 12" x 10"
    

"rorschach 2" / c. 1990  / pen and ink on paper / 8" x 9"
    

"quality used cars" / c. 1950 / b & w photograph / 8" x 7 1/2"

"untitled" / c. 1990's / photo collage / 6" x 7"
     

  "untitled" / c. 1990 / color photograph / 3 1/2" x 5"
     

"untitled" / c. 1980's / pen and ink on paper / 8" x 5 1/2"  
    

"untitled" / c. 1980's / pen and ink on paper / 5" x 7"
    

"untitled" / c. 1980's / pen and ink, felt pen on paper / 9" x 6 1/2"
    

"rhine with slinky" / c. 1957 / b & w photograph / 10" x 8"

c. 1960's / spray paint on masonite
    

"untitled" / c. 1980's / pen and ink on paper / 7" x 6"     

"untitled"  / c. 1955 / b&w photograph / 10" x 8"

"study for zero" / c. 1950's / pastel on board
     

"zero" / c. 1950's / oil on canvas / photo: dan kvitka / 39" x 26"
   

"wavermaker" / c. 1980's / acrylic on masonite / 36" x48" / photo: dan kvitka
   

"untitled" / c. 1980's / pencil on tracing paper / 7" x 9"
  

c. 1990's / acrylic on masonite
     

"untitled " / c. 1990's / felt pen on paper / 7" x 7"
     

"untitled" / c. 1990's / photo collage / 5 1/2" x 7"
    

"untitled" / c. 1950's / oil on canvas / photo: dan kvitka / 30" x 48"
     

"untitled" / c. 1990's / pencil, pen and ink on paper / 6" x 5 1/2"
     

"untitled" / c. 1990's / acrylic on textured masonite
     

c. 1978 / acrylic on masonite / photo: dan kvitka
      

c. late 1970's / acrylic on masonite
      

"untitled" / c. late 1970's / pen and ink on paper / 7 1/2" x 11"
      

"space scheme" / 1980 / acrylic on masonite / 32" x 48" / photo: dan kvitka
     

"study for space scheme" / 1980 /  pencil and pen on paper / 7" x 10"
     

"untitled" / c. 2000 / pen and ink on two pages taped together / 3 1/2" x 6"
     

"untitled" / c. 1990's / color photo collage / 6" x 8"
       

"untitled" / c. 1980's / pencil on paper / 12" x 8 1/2"
     

"untitled" / c. 1990's / acrylic on masonite
    

"untitled" / c. 1980's / felt pen and masking tape on cardboard / 4" x 6"
    

"untitled" / c. 1960's / spray paint on mansonite / photo: dan kvitka / 20" x 37"
    

"untitled" / c. 1950's / pastel and ink on board
    

"untitled" / c. 1990 / pastel, felt pen and pencil on board / 4 1/4" x 8"
    

"untitled" / c. 1990 / acrylic on board / 10" x 9"
     

"untitled" / c. 1990's / ink on paper / 7 1/2" x 7 1/2"
    

"danger on red beach" / c. 1950 / oil on canvas / 59" x  27" / photo: dan kvitka
    

c. 1960 / leonard ruder's studio

2009 / leonard ruder's studio