Tag: florida

James Rosenquist at Ross and Kramer Gallery

Inspired by the palm fronds in his Florida garden and other plant life, James Rosenquist juxtaposed lips and flesh (visible in glimpses as abstract, cut out forms) with blossoming pink peonies in this ‘Flower’ series painting at Ross and Kramer.  The connection between women and nature is age-old, but the discomfort conveyed by fragmentary views of female faces is fresh and stops viewers from an easy consumption of beauty.  (On view in Chelsea through March 27th. Masks and social distancing are required).

James Rosenquist, Incarnation Incantations, oil on canvas mounted on board, 81 x 62 inches, 1989.

Mernet Larsen in ‘Let’s Get Figurative’ at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery

Mernet Larsen’s eerie nativity scene is a standout in Nicelle Beauchene Gallery’s mini-survey of current trends in figurative painting. Though the figures’ boxy shapes recall the Cubism-mocking ‘Cubies’ cartoons from a century ago, flashes of oddness (in the position of the angels’ feet, a spill on Mary’s lap) punctuate an already charged atmosphere. (On the Lower East Side through Nov 15th).

Mernet Larsen, Nativity, acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 74 x 31.5 inches, 2005.

Michele Oka Doner at Marlborough Gallery

Known for her deep engagement with the natural world through her art, New York/Florida artist Michele Oka Doner creates hybrid plant/animal/human figures in her impressive solo show at Marlborough Gallery’s 57th Street location. Here, a gilded cast-bronze figure has the textured surface of weathered wood while a tree-like wax-covered figure at rear stands in contrapposto. (Through May 16th).

Michele Oka Doner, Interior Life, gilded cast bronze, 58 x 14 x 8 ½ inches, 2014.

Charles Atlas at Luhring Augustine Gallery

Against video of sunsets shot on a Rauschenberg residency in Florida, numbers flash in anticipation of the 18 minutes prior to sunset in veteran video-artist Charles Atlas’ latest solo show at Chelsea’s Luhring Augustine Gallery. Titled ‘The Waning of Justice,’ the show decries the current political state of the country with help in the back gallery from legendary drag performer Lady Bunny. (Through March 14th).

Charles Atlas, installation view of ‘The Waning of Justice,’ at Luhring Augustine, Feb 2015.