Photo by Liza Voll
Sterling Ruby (b. 1972, Bitburg, Germany) is known for his restless invention and prolific output across mediums. From hand-worked ceramics and sublime abstract paintings, to soft sculptures and work with textiles and quilts, Ruby is one of the leading voices of his generation. This catalogue presents twenty years of the artist’s iconic, multidisciplinary works. Accompanying Ruby’s first US museum survey, this book takes a thematic approach to the artist’s output, focusing on his critical invocation of imagery related to American identity. Beginning with his earliest two-dimensional works on paper, this volume demonstrates Ruby’s distinctive approach to psychological, cultural, and topical concerns, and his continuous engagement with themes such as prison reform, labor conditions, and vernacular cultures.