Francoise Grossen and Tau Lewis in ‘Making Their Mark’ at the Shah Garg Foundation

Swiss fiber artist Francoise Grossen moved her textiles moved off the loom in the ‘60s, creating bold and colorful sculpture that existed in three dimensions.  This large piece from 1977 is a highlight of the Shah Garg Foundation’s first public exhibition of its museum-quality collection featuring over eighty artists.  Abstract and constructed from manila rope, this sculpture was nevertheless inspired by functional objects including rope bridges, ship lines and the ancient Incan recording device, the quipu.  On the wall beyond Grossen’s piece, a more contemporary textile-based work by Tau Lewis uses recycled fabric to form a head inspired by Yoruban mask drama.  (On view through March 23rd in Chelsea, at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive in Sept ‘24 and Kemper Art Museum, St Louis in Sept ’25).

Francoise Grossen, Contact III, manila rope (abaca), 1977. Tau Lewis, Saint Mozelle in the Aphid Orgy, steel, enamel paint, acrylic paint, acrylic finisher, repurposed leather, repurposed suede, organic cotton twill, and coated nylon thread, 2023.

Allan McCollum at Mary Boone Gallery

Why do we collect objects? Whether it’s art, fossils or shoes, Allan McCollum suggests that we’re looking to fulfill greater needs. In this piece from 1991, currently on view at Mary Boone Gallery’s 24th Street location, McCollum presents cast copies of original bones from the Carnegie Museum, begging the question of what their collection and display means for human history. (On view through April 29th).

Allan McCollum, Collection of Two Hundred and Forty Lost Objects, dimensions variable (240), enamel/glass-fiber reinforced concrete, 1991.

‘A Secret Affair’ at FLAG Art Foundation

The FLAG Foundation’s ‘A Secret Affair’ is one of the best shows of the moment in Chelsea, and one of the most appropriately titled, given that it’s tucked away high on the 9th and 10th floors of the foundation’s 545 West 25th Street exhibition space. Curated by Louis Grachos from Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman’s collection, rooms like this one show off the quality of the collection as well as the Fuhrmans’ penchant for sculptures of couples. (Through May 16th).

Installation view of ‘A Secret Affair: Selections from the Fuhrman Family Collection,’ at the FLAG Art Foundation, including work by Louise Bourgeois (foreground), Yinka Shonibare (left), Juan Munoz (middle), Maurizio Cattelan (back), March 2015.