Allison Schulnik at ZieherSmith

‘Eager,’ Allison Schulnik’s new stop-motion animation starts with restrained dancing figures and quickly ups the pace as nature itself joins in the dance with flowers bursting forth in bloom and swaying with exuberant fecundity.  (At Chelsea’s ZieherSmith through Feb 22nd.)   

Allison Schulnik, still from ‘Eager,’ clay-animated, stop-motion video, 8 min, 30 sec, ed of 5, 2014.

Lynda Benglis at Cheim and Read Gallery

Iconic Process artist Lynda Benglis excites the senses with a new selection of ceramic sculptures hand formed from tubes and slabs of clay.  (At Chelsea’s Cheim & Read through Feb 15th).  

Lynda Benglis, Untitled, glazed ceramic, 20 x 16, 12 inches, 2013.

Carole Seborovski in ‘Out of Their Elements’ at Ricco Maresca Gallery

Ceramics are increasingly visible in Chelsea galleries this fall, particularly in a show of artists who use clay in innovative ways at Ricco Maresca Gallery.  These sculptures by Carole Seborovski merge natural forms with abundantly decorated surfaces in intriguingly odd combinations.  (Through Nov 16th ).  

Carole Seborovski, Summer of Love (foreground), clay, medium/low fire glaze, platinum/gold luster, ceramic decals, and gold leaf, 2011.

Akio Takamori in ‘Clay Bodies’ at Barry Friedman, Ltd

Seattle-based ceramic artist Akio Takamori’s sleeping women rest in round bundles on low pedestals, their eyes open slightly, seemingly observing us while we’re spying on them in their sleep.  Colorful and curvy like Matisse figures, it’s as if drawings have materialized in three dimensions.  (At Chelsea’s Barry Friedman Gallery through Oct 30th.)

Akio Takamori, Sleeping Woman in Red Dress with Orange Hair, stoneware with underglazes, 2013.