Rodney Graham at 303 Gallery

A tattoo of Popeye battling a squid inspired the cartoon-themed body art on this pensive pensioner, an invented character by Rodney Graham.   Standing on the balcony of his ‘Vancouver Special’ sporting a rebellious rockabilly style, the character – played by Graham – stands out amid the trappings of middle-class culture.  (On view at Chelsea’s 303 Gallery through Feb 23rd).

Rodney Graham, Tattooed Man on Balcony, two painted aluminum lightboxes with transmounted chromogenic transparencies, 109 5/8 x 64 5/8 x 7 inches, 2018.

Ditte Gantriis in ‘Speedboat’ at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery

Looking to sniff out some good summer group shows on the Lower East Side? These comic noses in rough clay by Danish artist Ditte Gantriis at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery are worth checking out; they bring to mind iconic character types and how quickly we interpret them. (Through August 15th).

Ditte Gantriis, Untitled, white sculpture clay, 11 ½ x 5 x 5 inches, 2014.