Tag: mask

Viola Frey in ‘The Circle’ at Nancy Hoffman Gallery

Late California-based sculptor Viola Frey’s huge standing man is a highpoint of the Whitney’s current exhibition rethinking the presence of craft in fine art; three tondos by the iconic artist at Nancy Hoffman Gallery are a more human-scaled exploration of humanity.  This strikingly colorful, theatrical character whose face resembles a tragedy mask, holds a circular form that appears to be a plate or similar artwork, suggesting a tongue-in-cheek portrait of an artist.  (On view in ‘The Circle’ through Jan 30th).

Viola Frey, Untitled (Mask with Pink and Orange Arms), ceramic, 26 inch diameter, 2001-02.

Marianne Vitale at Invisible Exports

Marianne Vitale gives new meaning to life on the rails with her repurposed railway tracks as minimalist sculpture, steel junctions as totemic figures and now, a train engine housing resembling a gas-masked ghoul.  Part of an exhibition that includes stacks of metal flangeway blocks that recall indecipherable letter shapes, Vitale’s art is anthropology – a search through remnants of a recently bygone era for clues to life in the not-so-distant past.  (On view at Invisible Exports on the Lower East Side through June 24th).

Marianne Vitale, Skull, repurposed train engine parts, 49 x 42 x 8 inches, 2018.

Mark Thomas Gibson at Fredericks Freiser Gallery

A monster’s human mask falls away in Mark Thomas Gibson’s ‘Washed Up,’ or is a disguise being applied? Either way, to judge by the quivering, fearful eyes, it seems like the game’s up and this creatures underlying monstrous identity will soon be revealed. (On view at Fredericks Freiser Gallery through Oct 14th).

Mark Thomas Gibson, Washed Up, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 40 inches, 2017.

‘Arman the Collector: The Artist’s Collection of African Art,’ at Paul Kasmin Gallery

Most prominent in post-war in France for his ‘accumulations,’ the artist Arman was also an avid collector of art from other cultures.  Paul Kasmin Gallery’s select show of pieces from Arman’s African collection features this mask from the Makonde of Tanzania, a type worn by young men in their initiation ceremonies.  (In Chelsea through Jan 11th.  Check website for holiday season opening hours.)  

Face Mask:  likomba, Makonde, Tanzania, wood, teeth, fiber, 24 x 10 x 9 inches with base.  From the collection of Arman.