Born in Mumbai, raised in Singapore and living in Brooklyn, Sahana Ramakrishnan draws on a multitude of sources, including Hindu, Buddhist and Greek mythology to create intriguingly enigmatic stories. Referring to ‘the innate mystery of the other,’ the group exhibition ‘A Stranger’s Soul is a Deep Well’ at Fridman Gallery showcases complex and unexplained imagery, including Ramakrishnan’s characterful animals, gathering around a vessel to ask for retribution. (On view on the Lower East Side through Feb 20th).
Tag: lower east side
Sally Saul at Rachel Uffner Gallery
Sally Saul’s new ceramics at Rachel Uffner Gallery engage today’s difficult times with humor by bringing out the absurdity in some of our anxieties. Here, waves defy nature to encircle one swimmer and finger-like peaks rise up in to threaten unwanted contact. On the other hand, the small size and delicate nature of the waves make them look almost playful. (On view on the Lower East Side through Jan 30th. Masks and social distancing are required).
Alex Gardner at The Hole NYC
With their black skin highlighted blue and featureless faces, Alex Gardner’s characters evade racial identification and offer no way to read their expressions. In this painting at The Hole NYC, only hands supporting a foot are visible, but the title ‘Cheer Stunt’ brings to mind a group performance full of suspense and excitement. Backlighting suggests a digital space or perhaps a stadium at night while alternatively, smooth, stylized hands and foot could be part of a new sculptural monument. (On view on the Lower East Side through Dec 27th. Masks and social distancing required).
Pat Oleszko and Anthea Hamilton in ‘Living Things’ at JTT Gallery
Whether it’s the wheezing, inflatable breast sculpture by Pat Oleszko or Anthea Hamilton’s sea-life encrusted boot near the entrance, the group exhibition ‘Living Things’ at JTT Gallery immediately feels set apart. Though the artists hail from different generations and employ various media, performance and transformation is key. Here, Pat Oleszko’s huge hammer costume appears in an accompanying film, ‘Tool Box,’ while Anthea Hamilton’s Papilio whip butterfly dominates the back wall with leather whips for antenna. (On view on the Lower East Side through Nov 28th. Masks and social distancing are required.)
Sadie Laska at Canada New York
Sadie Laska’s flags line the walls of Canada NYC’s Tribeca project room in a profusion of color and an abundance of possible messages. An evolving fish strides along with the message ‘go fund yourself,’ as if suggesting a fundraising campaign to finance future development. Nearby, a quilted star hovers over the image of planet earth featured in the 1960s-designed Earth Flag, while a mysterious silhouette thoughtfully paces above it all. With humor, Laska suggests more complex flag-flying. (On view in Tribeca through Dec 5th).