Tag: painter

Jose-Carlos Martinat at Marc Straus Gallery

Peruvian artist Jose-Carlos Martinat transplants bold graphics from the streets of Lima into Marc Straus Gallery’s Lower East Side space in an impactful show that coincides with his country’s contentious election. Working in his signature technique, Martinat applies resin and fiberglass to outdoor walls that have been painted with political symbols and slogans, peeling away the paint in sheets that hang from the gallery ceiling or on the walls.  Here, a giant pencil originated as a message of support for former school teacher Pedro Castillo, the apparent winner of this month’s runoff.  (On view through June 30th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Jose-Carlos Martinat, installation view at Marc Straus Gallery, June 2021.

Jennifer J. Lee at Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery

Closeups of a yellow cable knit sweater, acne scars, popcorn and other objects with textured surfaces draw viewers into Jennifer J Lee’s tiny representational paintings at Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery.  Colorful and complex, they engage the senses on multiple levels; painted on rough panels of jute, Lee accentuates the tactility of her subjects.  Here, cacti crowd the frame of this 13 x 12 inch piece offering a lively dynamic of sharp thorns and strong light.  (On view on the Lower East Side through June 26th.  Masks and social distancing required).

Jennifer J. Lee, Prickly Pear, oil on jute, 13 x 12 inches, 2021.

Alexander Harrison in ‘New Old Histories’ at Kasmin Gallery

Paused in mid-action and wearing tattered clothing, this cowboy may look worse for wear, but he appears to have come out on top.  What he’s literally on top of – a platform hiding three individuals with huge eyes – suggests the drama isn’t quite over.  Alexander Harrison’s cowboy – backlit by a fiery red sky and composed of dynamic, bending limbs – is a highlight of Kasmin Gallery’s group show ‘New Old Histories;’ in one action-packed moment, Harrison frustrates the typical Western good guy vs bad guy dichotomy (is he the law or is the law after him?) and leaves us wanting more.  (On view in Chelsea through June 26th.  Masks and social distancing required.)

Alexander Harrison, Beyond the Horizon, acrylic on panel, 47 ½ x 47 ½ inches.

Shirazeh Houshiary at Lehmann Maupin Gallery

Painting from a self-described ‘birds eye view,’ London-based artist Shirazeh Houshiary applies layers of water and pigment along with colored pencil lines to her canvas in a labor-intensive process that lends a sublime effect to her monumental abstractions.  In this detail image from the over 17 feet long ‘Feel,’ now on view at Lehmann Maupin Gallery, vivid contrasts of red and black are a portent for unknown events of obvious consequence.  (On view through May 28th.  Masks and social distancing are required).

Shirazeh Houshiary, Feel, Pigment, pencil, and black aquacryl on canvas and aluminum, 74.8 x 212.6 inches, 2019.

Gerhard Richter at Gagosian Gallery

Six towering oil on canvas abstractions by Gerhard Richter, currently on view at Gagosian Gallery, are a second chance to take in a highlight of the Met’s short-lived Richter retrospective last spring.  Collectively titled ‘Cage Paintings,’ they pay homage to composer John Cage, whose chance-based music Richter listened to as he created the series in 2006.  Made by pulling a squeegee across painted canvas, the paintings juxtapose the artist’s carefully developed technique with the inevitable unforeseen results of his painting method.  (On view in Chelsea through June 26th).

Gerhard Richter, installation view of ‘Cage Paintings’ at Gagosian Gallery, April 2021