Katherine Bradford at Canada New York

New York painter Katherine Bradford’s swimmers – a recurring subject – include ephemeral, washy suggestions of submerged figures and bolder, mostly visible individuals standing still in the water.  New work at Canada in Tribeca favors more dominant figures, filling the space of the canvas with their solid forms and often expressionless faces.  ‘In the Lake,’ features individuals who float, walk or stand in dark water perhaps lit by the moon, each in their own space; with their arms outstretched, several figures appear to be relaxing while an orange-topped figure waits and a man starts to exit the scene to the right.  Bradford excels at complex realities, as past shows suggest – e.g. the terror and pleasure of waves in 2016 or the comforting and confining closeness of mothers and children in 2021.  Here, mostly placid faces suggest tranquility but closeness and individual isolation among the swimmers leaves room to wonder.  (On view through Dec 22nd).

Katherine Bradford, In the Lake, acrylic on canvas, diptych: 80 x 136 inches, 2023.

Sadie Laska at Canada New York

Sadie Laska’s flags line the walls of Canada NYC’s Tribeca project room in a profusion of color and an abundance of possible messages. An evolving fish strides along with the message ‘go fund yourself,’ as if suggesting a fundraising campaign to finance future development.  Nearby, a quilted star hovers over the image of planet earth featured in the 1960s-designed Earth Flag, while a mysterious silhouette thoughtfully paces above it all.  With humor, Laska suggests more complex flag-flying.  (On view in Tribeca through Dec 5th).

Sadie Laska, Installation view of EREHWON at Canada Gallery, Nov 2020.

Katherine Bradford at Canada New York

Katherine Bradford’s new painting ‘Suits’ juxtaposes a man in an impersonal business suit with a man stripped down to a swim suit.  In his anonymous, corporate garb, the man above hovers over his more vulnerable counterpart like a spirit attempting to communicate from the beyond.  Faceless, slack bodied and seemingly impervious, the man below stands in passive isolation.  (On view at Canada New York through Oct 21st).

Katherine Bradford, Suits, acrylic on canvas, 68 x 80 inches, 2018.

Joanna Malinowska at Canada New York

Nestled next to a pile of discarded Christmas trees, a figure resembling early 20th century Dada artist Hugo Ball is partially encased in an icy-blue material in the centerpiece of Joanna Malinowska’s latest solo show at Canada New York. In the past, Malinowska has considered Ball and other iconic artists in relation to non-western art practice; here, he appears to be have collected as part of a beaver dam and paralyzed by a block of ice. (On the Lower East Side through March 12th).

Joanna Malinowska, Still Life, mixed media, dimensions variable, 2017.

Elizabeth McIntosh at Canada

Female figures in long black dresses are the basis of this arresting canvas by Canadian painter Elizabeth McIntosh, who’s known for excerpting and riffing on elements of historical paintings. The identity of the repeated woman is a mystery, but the intensely yellow object coming from her hand – a notebook? handbag? a block of butter? – is the real puzzle that gives the painting intrigue. (At Canada on the Lower East Side through Oct 23rd).

Elizabeth McIntosh, Black Dress, oil on canvas, 85 x 75 inches, 2016.
Elizabeth McIntosh, Black Dress, oil on canvas, 85 x 75 inches, 2016.