Raqib Shaw’s richly imagined scenes at Pace Gallery are dominated by the verdant Kashmiri landscape and a tribe of cavorting and lounging peacock-headed characters, who echo the poses of picnicking Parisians lounging in a park in Manet’s 1862 painting Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe. Intricately painted in vibrant enamel colors, Shaw’s new paintings are a feast for the eyes. (On view in Chelsea through May 18th).
British artist Gary Hume made his name by painting hospital doors like these in the 90s, as England controversially debated public vs private health care. Here, he had doors constructed that lead in to a second gallery housing attractive glossy enamel paintings featuring disquieting subjects, including versions of an off center wheel derived from a sniper’s sight that reference conflict in Iraq. (At Matthew Marks’ 522 W. 22nd Street location through Dec 21st.)
Gary Hume, Installation view of ‘The Wonky Wheel,’ at Matthew Marks Gallery. Wheel: The Wonky Wheel (Red), enamel on aluminum, 2013. Door: How to Paint a Door, gallery door, 2013.
