A Look Inside Sterling Ruby's "ACTS+TABLES" Exhibition at Gagosian London
Inspired by the artist’s critique of minimalism.
Gagosian‘s Britannia Street location has opened the doors to Sterling Ruby‘s first exhibition with the gallery in London. Titled “ACTS+TABLES,” the exhibit features work from two of Ruby’s series, ACTS (2008-18) and TABLES (2015-19). The exhibition is inspired by Ruby’s “critique of the authoritarian, exclusionary ideological underpinnings of Minimalism,” with recognizable shapes — including large formica blocks or metal tables — reworked and defaced by the artist.
The focal point of the exhibit is ACTS, with four of the urethane sculptures occupying the first room of the Gagosian space. Standing for Absolute Contempt for Total Serenity, the ACTS sculptures are created by adding liquid dye to clear urethane, with these prisms then situated on top of scuffed, inscribed and spray-painted Formica stands.
Another key piece in the exhibit is TABLE (DOUBLE LAST SUPPER), which features metal pipes, frying pans and more covered in extra solder. The piece is the culmination of Ruby’s TABLES series that looks at personal and cultural archaeology, and is constructed from welding tables that were left in his studio from its previous owner.
Take a look through “ACTS+TABLES” in the gallery above. The exhibition is open at Gagosian Britannia Street until December 14.
In other art news, here’s five of the best things to see during Frieze London.
Gagosian London
6–24 Britannia Street
London
WC1X 9JD
