Sterling Ruby's 'Bronzes' series marks a significant foray into the realm of traditional sculpture, juxtaposing his experimental approach with the historical and material gravitas of bronze casting. This series represents a departure from Ruby's more commonly associated mediums, such as ceramics, textiles, and spray paint, showcasing his versatility and deep engagement with the sculptural tradition. The 'Bronzes' series is imbued with the same thematic depth and conceptual rigor that characterize Ruby's broader practice, exploring themes of decay, transformation, and the interplay between the industrial and the organic.

The works within the 'Bronzes' series are striking for their textured surfaces and often monumental scale, traits that harness the inherent qualities of bronze to convey weight, both physical and metaphorical. Ruby's process involves casting objects and forms that might initially appear incongruous with the nobility traditionally associated with bronze sculpture, including items that suggest industrial waste, tools, and organic forms that seem to have undergone processes of corrosion or metamorphosis. This choice of subject matter, combined with the historicity and durability of bronze, creates a powerful tension between ephemerality and permanence, underscoring the artist's interest in cycles of creation and destruction.

Visually, the 'Bronzes' series is characterized by a palpable sense of tactility and depth. Ruby manipulates the surface of his bronze works to achieve a range of finishes, from the highly polished to the deliberately corroded, evoking a spectrum of decay and regeneration. These surfaces not only reflect Ruby's exploration of materiality but also serve as metaphors for the scars and accretions of experience, suggesting a layered history embedded within each piece. The choice of bronze, with its long association with commemoration and memorialization, adds a layer of complexity to the works, inviting viewers to contemplate the passage of time and the transformation of matter.

Conceptually, the 'Bronzes' series engages with the dichotomy between the industrial and the handmade, the new and the ancient. Ruby's use of bronze—a material steeped in art history and tradition—within the context of his contemporary practice creates a dialogue between past and present, highlighting the continuity and rupture between different modes of artistic production. The series reflects on the industrial processes that have shaped the modern landscape, while also paying homage to the craftsmanship and labor involved in traditional bronze casting. Through this body of work, Ruby interrogates the value and significance we assign to materials and objects, challenging the hierarchies that govern our aesthetic and cultural judgments.

Sterling Ruby's 'Bronzes' series represents a compelling exploration of material, history, and form, revealing the artist's capacity to engage with and expand upon the legacies of sculpture. By incorporating elements of decay, transformation, and the passage of time into his bronze works, Ruby not only pays tribute to the medium's historical significance but also redefines its potential to address contemporary concerns. The 'Bronzes' series stands as a testament to Ruby's innovative spirit and his ongoing dialogue with the material world, offering a profound reflection on the nature of art and existence.