Sterling Ruby's Exploration of Transformation in Art

Sterling Ruby's latest exhibition, "Atropa," showcases a profound exploration of transformation, focusing on the interplay between nature and industrial environments. Ruby articulates his artistic vision through the concept of entropy, aiming to capture the tension between expression and repression, law and lawlessness, and the organic versus the constructed. His works, which include graphite drawings, watercolor collages, and bronze sculptures, reflect a fluid conception of matter shaped by natural processes.

New York Observer

Ruby's artistic practice is deeply rooted in his personal experiences and observations. He cultivates a flower garden in his studio located in Vernon, California, an area characterized by heavy manufacturing and environmental contamination. This garden serves as a living metaphor for coexistence, attracting various wildlife and evolving into an ecosystem. Ruby notes, “It feels like the studio is a place of transformation, not only for me as an artist, but for all of these other living things.”

New York Observer

His works on paper often incorporate photographic documentation and dried flowers, allowing natural processes to influence the image-making. In his piece "SPLITTING" (2025), Ruby employs monochromatic collages to evoke the continuous cycle of natural transformation. The bronze sculptures, created from living flowers cultivated in his garden, undergo a process that transforms them into what Ruby describes as “a bronze ghost of the original,” emphasizing themes of mortality and impermanence.

New York Observer

Historically, Ruby's work addressed broader societal critiques, highlighting structural violence and alienation within American life. However, "Atropa" marks a shift towards a more intimate and introspective approach. Ruby reflects on his evolving relationship with art, stating, “Everything tends to be more elegiac now.” He expresses a desire to create work that resonates with the complexities of the human condition without imposing a didactic message.

New York Observer

Ruby articulates the challenge of capturing the current societal landscape, stating, “What does that look like? How do I make something sincere, abstract, or almost spiritual that can capture the time in which we are living?” He believes that art can convey a distinct truth that transcends political discourse, operating through metaphor and sensation.

New York Observer

While Ruby's introspective approach has garnered attention, some critics may argue that his shift away from overt societal critique could dilute the impact of his work. They may contend that art should continue to confront pressing social issues directly rather than adopting a more abstract or spiritual lens.

New York Observer

• “The idea of entropy is a good way to describe what I’m trying to do with the work,” — Sterling Ruby, Artist

New York Observer

• “The bronze flowers feel the most delicate and raw to me; it’s like the process of cremation.” — Sterling Ruby, Artist

New York Observer

• “I want my work to respond to the world at large, to the human condition, to time itself, without prescribing meaning. I don’t believe these things are simple—they are complex and abstract.” — Sterling Ruby, Artist

New York Observer

Sterling Ruby's "Atropa" invites viewers into a contemplative space where the boundaries between life and art blur, reflecting the ongoing cycles of transformation inherent in both nature and human experience.

New York Observer