Vanessa German at Pavel Zoubok Gallery

Pittsburgh-based artist Vanessa German assembles a stunningly arrayed army of folk characters for her current show at Chelsea’s Pavel Zoubok Gallery. The figure in the foreground holds a lantern aloft as if to metaphorically light the way forward; a mother with an astounding headdress of ceramic devotional sculpture holds her limp child to the right; a figure at back speaks for social justice by holding up a stop sign. (Through Nov 30th).

Vanessa German, installation view of ‘I Am Armed.  I Am an Army’ at Pavel Zoubok Gallery.  Foreground:  ‘no admittance apply at office,’ mixed-media assemblage, 73 x 30 x 16 inches, 2016.
Vanessa German, installation view of ‘I Am Armed. I Am an Army’ at Pavel Zoubok Gallery. Foreground: ‘no admittance apply at office,’ mixed-media assemblage, 73 x 30 x 16 inches, 2016.

Tim Freccia at Ricco Maresca

Printed in life size and confronting viewers head-on, these arresting photos of South Sudan’s White Army show unique individuals who are nevertheless unknown. Taken by photojournalist Tim Freccia this year, they depict members of the Nuer ethnic group who are battling the nation’s other dominant group, the Dinka. (At Chelsea’s Ricco Maresca through September 13th.)

Tim Freccia, three type C-print surface mounted images, each titled ‘White Army,’ 84 x 42 inches, 2014.