Brad Kahlhamer at Garth Greenan Gallery

Human or animal, alive, dead or in spirit form, the most haunting and memorable aspect of Brad Kahlhamer’s current solo show at Garth Greenan Gallery are the many faces that populate his graphically strong paintings.  In this untitled canvas, several heads have hair that extends down and out like roots, joining stylized figures and a modified dream catcher to create connections across space and between characters.  This half-human, half raptor individual appears tranquil but the figures around her suggest intense inner life.  (On view in Chelsea through June 18th).

Brad Kahlhamer, detail from Untitled, mixed media on canvas, 104 ¾ x 138 inches.
Brad Kahlhamer, Untitled, mixed media on canvas, 104 ¾ x 138 inches.

Brad Kahlhamer at Jack Shainman Gallery

Drawing on his Native American roots and life in downtown New York (where he’s lived for over 30 years), Brad Kahlhamer creates a new culture populated by figures based on Hopi katsina dolls and enigmatic heroes. (At Jack Shainman Gallery’s 20th Street location through April 26th).

Brad Kahlhamer, background: American Horse, acrylic, ink, spray paint and pencil on bed sheet, 94 ½ x 72 ½ inches, 2014. Foreground: Next Level Figures, wood, wire, bells, leather, acrylic, mirrors, spray paint, 2014.

Brad Kahlhamer at Jack Shainman Gallery

Born in Arizona to Native American parents, raised by his adoptive German-American parents in Wisconsin and based on the Bowery for the past 23 years, Brad Kahlhamer still draws on his varied background in art that blends Native American iconography and a graffiti-like graphic sensibility in this haunting portrait of an apparition-like character.  (At Jack Shainman Gallery’s 24th Street location through Nov 16th).  

Brad Kahlhamer, The Way They Looked The Way They Lived, ink spray paint, acrylic and ballpoint pen on cloth, 2013.