Julie Bena at Chapter NY

Whether they’re teeth or a quadrupled epiglottis, the line of metal balls in each of these three mouth sculptures by Julie Bena suggests ways in which language might follow Newton’s laws.  If each of these joyous, dismayed or just loud mouths spoke, would their words have a momentum that wouldn’t diminish?  How would the energy of each person’s thoughts change form as it manifested in each individual?  (At Chapter NY as part of the multi-gallery group exhibition Condo New York.  Chapter is hosting Adams and Ollman).

Julie Bena, installation view at Chapter NY, July, 2018. Foreground: 3 Mouths Are Largely Enough (Hearthy), powder coated metal, 8 ¾ x 11 x 2 ¾ inches, 2017.

Mairead O’hEocha at Callicoon Fine Arts

Mairead O’hEocha’s floral still life evokes paintings by 17th/18th century painter Rachel Ruysch while offering a more abstracted take on the genre. Flowers from around the world which may have bloomed at different times combined in the Netherlands to testify to Dutch trade power. Here, the rose at center signals waning strength as it begins to lose its petals. (At Callicoon Fine Arts hosting mothers tankstation limited, Dublin, for Condo New York on the Lower East Side through July 28th).

Mairead O’hEocha, Bouquet with Rose after Rachel Ruysch, oil on board, 31 ½ x 24 ½ inches, 2017.