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.

Geoffrey Farmer at Casey Kaplan Gallery

Canonical works of western art from throughout the ages – cut from the pages of art books – rub shoulders in Vancouver artist Geoffrey Farmer’s ‘Boneyard’ installation at Casey Kaplan Gallery in Chelsea. The effect is surprisingly odd as it seems to warp space and time via the simple device of propping paper cutouts on a white tabletop. (Through Dec 20th).

Geoffrey Farmer, Boneyard, paper cutouts, wood, glue, dimensions variable, 2013.

Stan Douglas at David Zwirner Gallery

Vancouver photographer and filmmaker Stan Douglas continues a theme from his last show – the influence of Afrobeat on the NY music scene of the 70s – with his latest film ‘Luanda-Kinshasa,’ on view at Chelsea’s David Zwirner Gallery.  Watching the video in its entirety – and music lovers may want to – could take six hours as the scenes run in non-sequential loops. (Through Feb 22nd).  

Stan Douglas, still from Luanda-Kinshasa, Jan 2013, David Zwirner Gallery.