Sterling Ruby's collage paintings, a vital part of his multifaceted artistic oeuvre, exemplify his exploratory spirit and innovative approach to blending various elements, ideas, and materials. These works are characterized by their complex layering and incorporation of diverse materials, creating a signature visual language that is both enigmatic and aesthetically disruptive. Through these collages, Ruby delves into the concept of "illicit mergers," a process that underlines his entire practice, where the collision of different components often produces an aesthetic mess, challenging traditional boundaries and expectations​ (Artsy)​.

In his series such as WIDW, Ruby utilizes a combination of acrylic, oil, cardboard, elastic, and treated fabric on canvas, showcasing his intense relationship with materials and his interest in themes like sociocultural evolution, popular culture, and violence. This series reflects Ruby’s engagement with the materiality of his work, embodying his distinctive method of assembling contrasting elements to forge new, thought-provoking compositions​ (Xavier Hufkens)​.

Ruby's approach to collage is deeply informed by his background and influences. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Ruby was exposed to the craft and quilting traditions of local Amish communities, which have continued to resonate within his work. His collage paintings, much like his quilts, adopt a patchwork approach to pattern and abstract composition, marrying sections of dyed and bleached fabrics with a dynamic use of color and form. This method emphasizes spontaneity and the importance of the studio as a site of material transformation, where nothing is wasted, and everything is an opportunity to be reimagined​ (Artsy)​.

Through his collage paintings and broader artistic practice, Sterling Ruby challenges the perception of collage as merely a technique, elevating it to a philosophical and conceptual framework that interrogates the intersections of art, culture, and society.