Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
April 8–May 28, 2011
Berlin

Sprüth Magers Berlin is pleased to present a new installation, I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME, by Los Angeles-based artist Sterling Ruby. The exhibition features a large number of works including the artist’s paintings, collages, metal, bronze, ceramic, fiber, urethane and formica sculptures. A paranoid fantasy of an exhibition, it manifests itself in a series of works that incorporate the letters RWB not only within their titles, but also as a color scheme of red, white, and blue—the instantly recognizable colors that represent the flag of the United States of America. In using this acronym, the artist creates a powerful dissociative reverie: USA becomes RWB.

The exhibition’s title takes its name from a collaborative painting made in 1983 by Jenny Holzer and the graffiti artist Lady Pink. Fascinated by this work for years, Ruby recently found that its self-referential slogan could be contextualized within current political discourse regarding terrorism, a reference to America’s obsession with freedom and whether it is hated for it. Ruby believes that the original work expresses a very real feeling of being caught in a universal war zone, but as with all of Holzer’s cryptic texts, it contains an ambiguity and can also be seen as expressing a kind of paranoid delusion.

 

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The new installation draws a striking parallel to Ruby's SUPERMAX exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (2008). In this previous exhibition, the artist externalized the failures of the Supermaximum Penitentiary; a contemporary American prison system that focuses on detainment and isolation instead of correction or rehabilitation. Similarly, that exhibition explored the artist’s creative output as paranoia.

The amount and variety of the works point to an excessive and schizophrenic personality, as if the very creation of this large volume of works held unseen predatory forces at bay. In the SUPERMAX exhibition the artist presented a claustrophobic installation that expressed the feeling of being incarcerated or trapped.

Throughout his practice, Ruby has been seeking ways to break from the traps inherent to the history of art making and society at large, a new way out. I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME shows Ruby seeking a visionary revelation through an explosion of formalism that expresses a prophetic paranoia.

Selections: Morris, Trockel, Holzer + Pink
Concurrent with his show, Ruby has curated a small exhibition from a selection of gallery artists that he has found extremely influential, including Robert Morris, Rosemarie Trockel, Jenny Holzer and Lady Pink. In choosing the works for this show, the artist has focused on works that exemplify current tensions between formalism and representation, chaos and order, with an undercurrent of punk and craft.

 

Installation Views
Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Details
Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME
Installation view, Sprüth Magers, Berlin, April 8–May 28, 2011

Details
icon_fullscreen
1 of 16
Exhibited Works
Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Head Trekkers Weight 1, 2011

Sterling Ruby
Head Trekkers Weight 1, 2011
Collage on paper
190.5 × 121.9 cm
75 × 48 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Planetary Model 1, 2010

Sterling Ruby
Planetary Model 1, 2010
Collage on paper
111.4 × 70.8 cm
43 7/8 × 27 7/8 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Head Steppers 2, 2010

Sterling Ruby
Head Steppers 2, 2010
Collage on paper
123.2 × 189.9 cm
48 1/2 × 74 3/4 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
USA USERIPPER, 2011

Sterling Ruby
USA USERIPPER, 2011
Two urethane blocks, formica, spray paint and wood
47.6 × 93.3 cm (urethane blocks)
61 × 185.4 × 121.9 cm (pedestal)
18 3/4 × 36 3/4 inches (urethane blocks)
24 × 73 × 48 inches (pedestal)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
DOUBLE VAMPIRE 1, 2011

Sterling Ruby
DOUBLE VAMPIRE 1, 2011
Fabric and fiber fill
414 × 520.7 × 17.8 cm
163 × 205 × 7 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
DOUBLE VAMPIRE 2, 2011

Sterling Ruby
DOUBLE VAMPIRE 2, 2011
Fabric and fiber fill
414 × 520.7 × 17.8 cm
163 × 205 × 7 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/I.A.N.F.B.I.C.B.E.A., 2011

Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/I.A.N.F.B.I.C.B.E.A., 2011
PVC pipe, foam, urethane, wood, spray paint and formica
548.6 × 96.5 × 157.5 cm
216 × 38 × 62 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/MWS, 2011

Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/MWS, 2011
PVC pipe, foam, urethane, wood, spray paint and formica
546.1 × 162.6 × 91.4 cm
215 × 64 × 36 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/Survival Horror, 2011

Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/Survival Horror, 2011
PVC pipe, foam, urethane, wood, spray paint and formica
548.6 × 160 × 91.4 cm
216 × 63 × 36 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
2 DROPS , 2011

Sterling Ruby
2 DROPS , 2011
Fabric and fiber fill
492.8 × 50.8 × 25.4 cm
194 × 20 × 10 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
REDR.I.P., 2011

Sterling Ruby
REDR.I.P., 2011
Fiberglass and Formica pedestal
213.4 × 48.3 × 48.3 cm (drop)
84 × 19 × 19 inches (drop)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
PEACEHEAD, 2010

Sterling Ruby
PEACEHEAD, 2010
Bronze and spray paint
57.2 × 115.6 × 16.5 cm
76.2 × 144.8 × 48.3 cm (pedestal)
22 1/2 × 45 1/2 × 6 1/2 inches
30 × 57 × 19 inches (pedestal)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
Basin Theology/B.A.U. 2, 2011

Sterling Ruby
Basin Theology/B.A.U. 2, 2011
Ceramic
18.4 × 99.1 × 99.1 cm
66 × 121.9 × 121.9 cm (alabaster finish formica and wood pedestal)
7 1/4 × 39 × 39 inches
26 × 48 × 48 inches (alabaster finish formica and wood pedestal)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
SP150, 2010

Sterling Ruby
SP150, 2010
Spray paint on canvas
317.5 × 469.9 × 5.1 cm
125 × 185 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
SP151, 2010

Sterling Ruby
SP151, 2010
Spray paint on canvas
317.5 × 469.9 × 5.1 cm
125 × 185 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
SP152, 2010

Sterling Ruby
SP152, 2010
Spray paint on canvas
254 × 365.8 × 5.1 cm
100 × 144 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
SP 153, 2011

Sterling Ruby
SP 153, 2011
Spray paint on canvas
254 × 365.8 × 5.1 cm
100 × 144 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
SP154, 2011

Sterling Ruby
SP154, 2011
Spray paint on canvas
243.8 × 213.4 × 5.1 cm
96 × 84 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin
Sterling Ruby
SP155, 2011

Sterling Ruby
SP155, 2011
Spray paint on canvas
243.8 × 213.4 × 5.1 cm
96 × 84 × 2 inches

Details
Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Head Trekkers Weight 1, 2011
Collage on paper
190.5 × 121.9 cm
75 × 48 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Planetary Model 1, 2010
Collage on paper
111.4 × 70.8 cm
43 7/8 × 27 7/8 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Head Steppers 2, 2010
Collage on paper
123.2 × 189.9 cm
48 1/2 × 74 3/4 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
USA USERIPPER, 2011
Two urethane blocks, formica, spray paint and wood
47.6 × 93.3 cm (urethane blocks)
61 × 185.4 × 121.9 cm (pedestal)
18 3/4 × 36 3/4 inches (urethane blocks)
24 × 73 × 48 inches (pedestal)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
DOUBLE VAMPIRE 1, 2011
Fabric and fiber fill
414 × 520.7 × 17.8 cm
163 × 205 × 7 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
DOUBLE VAMPIRE 2, 2011
Fabric and fiber fill
414 × 520.7 × 17.8 cm
163 × 205 × 7 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/I.A.N.F.B.I.C.B.E.A., 2011
PVC pipe, foam, urethane, wood, spray paint and formica
548.6 × 96.5 × 157.5 cm
216 × 38 × 62 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/MWS, 2011
PVC pipe, foam, urethane, wood, spray paint and formica
546.1 × 162.6 × 91.4 cm
215 × 64 × 36 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Monument Stalagmite/Survival Horror, 2011
PVC pipe, foam, urethane, wood, spray paint and formica
548.6 × 160 × 91.4 cm
216 × 63 × 36 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
2 DROPS , 2011
Fabric and fiber fill
492.8 × 50.8 × 25.4 cm
194 × 20 × 10 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
REDR.I.P., 2011
Fiberglass and Formica pedestal
213.4 × 48.3 × 48.3 cm (drop)
84 × 19 × 19 inches (drop)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
PEACEHEAD, 2010
Bronze and spray paint
57.2 × 115.6 × 16.5 cm
76.2 × 144.8 × 48.3 cm (pedestal)
22 1/2 × 45 1/2 × 6 1/2 inches
30 × 57 × 19 inches (pedestal)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
Basin Theology/B.A.U. 2, 2011
Ceramic
18.4 × 99.1 × 99.1 cm
66 × 121.9 × 121.9 cm (alabaster finish formica and wood pedestal)
7 1/4 × 39 × 39 inches
26 × 48 × 48 inches (alabaster finish formica and wood pedestal)

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
SP150, 2010
Spray paint on canvas
317.5 × 469.9 × 5.1 cm
125 × 185 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
SP151, 2010
Spray paint on canvas
317.5 × 469.9 × 5.1 cm
125 × 185 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
SP152, 2010
Spray paint on canvas
254 × 365.8 × 5.1 cm
100 × 144 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
SP 153, 2011
Spray paint on canvas
254 × 365.8 × 5.1 cm
100 × 144 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
SP154, 2011
Spray paint on canvas
243.8 × 213.4 × 5.1 cm
96 × 84 × 2 inches

Sterling Ruby – I AM NOT FREE BECAUSE I CAN BE EXPLODED ANYTIME – Berlin

Sterling Ruby
SP155, 2011
Spray paint on canvas
243.8 × 213.4 × 5.1 cm
96 × 84 × 2 inches

Details
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1 of 19

 

Selected Press

L is look and learn: Sterling Ruby
i-D, article by Ana Final Honigman, Summer 2011

Sterling Ruby
Artforum, review by Ana Final Honigman, May 5, 2011

Gallery Weekend in Berlin: More than just art, it’s a bleedin’ sport
Cicero, review by Daniel Schreiber, May 2, 2011

Maler plündern die Mottenkiste der Moderne
Berliner Morgenpost, review by Tim Ackermann, April 24, 2011