Ruth Beale is an artist based in London. Their work troubles the structures and systems that shape society, from institutions to social ties to the public realm. Using popular and everyday forms of material culture, such as cartoons, books, banners or newspapers, their work reveals complex and sophisticated modes of knowledge production and political effect. Committed to the radical possibilities of working collectively and collaboratively, they use dialogue and exchange to rethink the ways we share resources and ideas about the future. In 2012 they co-founded The Alternative School of Economics with Amy Feneck, which explores economic and political issues in relation to the complexity of lived experience.
Recent commissions include The Hundred Club with TACO!, Thamesmead, London (2021-ongoing); Drawing Risky Play with Turf Projects, Croydon, London (2023); and Library as Memorial with Brent Biennial, London (2020-21). Recent exhibitions include LIKE GODS at Swiss Cottage Library Gallery (2023), Squidgy World at Turf Projects (2023), and a major new installation by The Alternative School of Economics in Economics the Blockbuster: It’s not Business as Usual, The Whitworth, University of Manchester (2023). Ruth published All the Libraries: Reader with Simon Elvins in 2023.