Sterling Ruby's exploration into the realm of flags extends his interdisciplinary approach, melding notions of national identity, power structures, and the artistic repurposing of materials. His Flags series, initiated in 2014, encompasses large-scale wall hangings that echo the design of the American flag, yet they are infused with a depth of conceptual engagement that challenges and reinterprets their traditional symbolism. Ruby's approach is a direct reflection of his broader practice, which consistently navigates the tensions between fluidity and stasis, the individual and the collective, and the intersections of art with social and political dimensions (Ocula Art).
Ruby's engagement with textiles, including his work on flags, is deeply rooted in a personal and historical context that spans his upbringing and artistic influences. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Ruby was exposed early to the craft traditions of Amish quilt making, which he acknowledges as a significant influence on his aesthetic development. This background, combined with his expansive study in various art forms and theories, from minimalism to postmodernism, laid the foundation for his later works. Ruby's flags, quilts, and other textile works are not only artistic expressions but also explorations of his own identity and critiques of broader societal structures (Numéro Magazine).
Moreover, Ruby's flags and quilts bear witness to his rigorous engagement with the materials and processes of craft. His method involves a hands-on, almost alchemical experimentation with textiles, transforming utilitarian materials into objects of aesthetic and conceptual depth. This process mirrors his broader practice, which encompasses a wide range of mediums and often involves repurposing found materials to undermine established power systems. Through his work, Ruby seeks to collapse the binaries of high and low art, merging the conceptual with the material in a way that challenges traditional categorizations and opens up new avenues for understanding and interpretation (Ocula Art) (Numéro Magazine).
Sterling Ruby's Flags series thus stands as a testament to his complex, multifaceted practice, reflecting his ongoing investigation into the boundaries of material, identity, and expression. Through these works, Ruby not only engages with the historical and cultural significance of the flag but also reimagines its possibilities, inviting viewers to reconsider the intersections of art, craft, and national identity in a contemporary context.
