Tag: brennan and griffin

John Williams at Brennan and Griffin Gallery

John Williams eschews the cutting edge by repurposing old technology, using overhead projectors to create a series of bold sculptures that recall the experimental quality of Man Ray’s photograms with an extra measure of playful inventiveness.   Here, car parts affixed to the gallery wall become hair and a smile, a projected straw is a nose and a slinky funnels light upward into a bright white eye.   The other eye must be winking at us as we share the joke. (At Brennan and Griffin on the Lower East Side through July 21st. )

John Williams, New Haircut, overhead projector, car parts, convex mirror, slinky, plastic straw, hooks and nails, dimensions variable, 2017.

Naotaka Hiro at Brennan and Griffin

LA artist Naotaka Hiro’s fragmentary, cast self-portraits question what we do and don’t see from the exterior. ‘Big Question’ also appeals our sense of hearing as the artist demonstratively takes hold of his ear. (At Brennan & Griffin on the Lower East Side through June 5th).

Naotaka Hiro, Big Question, bronze, steel stand, 40 x 24 x 12 inches, unique, 2016.
Naotaka Hiro, Big Question, bronze, steel stand, 40 x 24 x 12 inches, unique, 2016.

Jeni Spota C. at Brennan and Griffin




It’s telling that young New York artist Jeni Spota C.’s heavily textured paintings of individuals grouped around mother-figures are included in the Jewish Museum’s current group show of ‘outsider’ art. Inspired by early Renaissance painting as well as a psychic’s assertion that the artist is constantly surrounded by departed relatives, Spota’s work invites speculation on the spiritual realm. (At Brennan and Griffin on the Lower East Side through Feb 14th)

Jeni Spota C., Bird Woman (detail), oil on canvas, 36 x 42 inches, 2015.


Kristin Calabrese at Brennan and Griffin Gallery

LA-based artist Kristin Calabrese’s exhibition at Lower East Side gallery Brennan and Griffin aims to consider our mortality; here, the beauty of the flowers has faded but a gorgeous sunset in the distance offers succor.  (Through Dec 8th).  

Kristin Calabrese, Depth of Field, oil on canvas, 78 x 66 inches, 2013.