Inspired by a news story about a dolphin that swam into Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal and died the same day from the pollution, New York artist Alexis Rockman conjured this vision of the canal as a cauldron of contamination in which the strong adapt to survive. (At Sperone Westwater on the Lower East Side through Nov 2nd).
Alexis Rockman, Gowanus, oil on wood, 2013.
Brooklyn-based artist Ruby Sky Stiler takes the seated nude to a new level with her ten-foot tall female figure. Carved from foam, its stepped form nevertheless suggests weighty ancient architecture embellished with images of power-wielding women. (At Nichelle Beauchene on the Lower East Side through Oct 6th)
Ruby Sky Stiler, Seated Woman, foam, acrylic resin, thermal adhesive, 2013.
Chelsea and 57th Street gallery Marlborough Gallery has now put an anchor down in the Lower East Side, launching a new space at 331 Broome with the lightheartedly delicious ‘Pizza Time,’ a show dedicated to the slice. It includes this collage by Catherine Ahearn that marries painting and photo as serendipitously as olives and mushrooms. (Through Oct 6th)
Catherine Ahearn, Untitled (pizza 3), multi-media, 2011.
When Aiko Hachisuka doesn’t want a piece of clothing any more, she doesn’t just bag it for the thrift shop. The LA-based artist’s bulging cloth sculptures are made from clothing she’s folded, screenprinted, stuffed and stitched together in large, exuberant forms. (At Eleven Rivington on the Lower East Side through June 14th)
Aiko Hachisuka, Pro Weight, silkscreen on clothing and foam, 2011.
Join me on one of my final art gallery tours of 2012! On Dec 1st, 2-4pm, we’ll be seeing the best that Chelsea has to offer. The next day, Sunday Dec 2nd, 10:30am – 12pm, I’ve added an additional tour of ‘Regarding Warhol’ at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On December 8th, 11am – 1pm (a new time), we’ll check out the highlights of New York’s more experimental galleries on the Lower East Side. And as always, if you can’t join me on a tour, I’m glad we can see ‘an outstanding artwork a day’ together on Facebook!
