For her first New York gallery show in nearly ten years, Petah Coyne continues to create richly evocative sculpture inspired by literature; this peacock-topped chandelier titled ‘Black Snowflake’ pays homage to Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain, his 1965 novel about Hiroshima. Personal themes also run though the show; here, a piece in memory of Coyne’s late father includes a bird considered in Irish mythology to accompany the soul to heaven. (On view at Galerie Lelong in Chelsea through Oct 27th).
Richard Mosse pictures European refugee camps like you’ve never seen them in monumental new photos taken with a military grade telephoto camera. Normally used for combat and border surveillance, the camera detects thermal radiation, turning individuals into ghost-like presences. (At Jack Shainman Gallery’s 20th Street location in Chelsea through March 11th).
Irish artist Genieve Figgis reaches back into history for characters to populate her paintings of cultured pastimes and leisure pursuits, but she seems to only partly resuscitate her ghoulish figures. Here, an 18th century social gathering includes crazed and casual guests. (At Half Gallery on the Upper East Side through Oct 25th).
Genieve Figgis, A Social Portrait, acrylic on canvas, 39.3 x 23.6 inches, 2014.
