Eve Ackroyd in ‘On Painting’ at Kent Fine Art

Abstracted eyes float before a male and a female head like afterimages in strangely ethereal canvases by New York-based Brit Eve Ackroyd. Evocative of dream-states, Ackroyd’s paintings bring to mind simultaneous layers of experience, from the conscious to the unconscious, memory to the present moment. (In ‘On Painting’ at Kent Fine Art in Chelsea through July 29th).

Eve Ackroyd, Untitled (Face with Falling Eyes), 11 x 14 inches, acrylic on canvas, 2016 and (on the right) Untitled (Closed Eyes) acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12 inches.
Eve Ackroyd, Untitled (Face with Falling Eyes), 11 x 14 inches, acrylic on canvas, 2016 and (on the right) Untitled (Closed Eyes) acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12 inches.

Nicole Eisenman in ‘If Only Bella Abzug Were Here’ at Marc Straus Gallery

Masks populate the mask-like features of ‘Whatever Guy,’ a portrait by Nicole Eisenman of a zoned-out and alienated character. (At Marc Straus Gallery through July 29th).

Nicole Eisenman, Whatever Guy, oil on canvas, 2009, 82 x 65 inches, 2009.
Nicole Eisenman, Whatever Guy, oil on canvas, 2009, 82 x 65 inches, 2009.

Zach Bruder in ‘Record Lines This Summer’ at Magenta Plains

‘Record Lines this Summer,’ a group show at Magenta Plains Gallery, takes its title from the delays expected at TSA airport checkpoints in July and August. In that context, Zach Bruder’s painting of Father Time holding a shoe up for contemplation takes on new meaning…is this shoe going to set off an alarm, or is he suggesting walking as a better mode of transport?

Zach Bruder, Monument Around, acrylic and flashe on linen, 52 x 58.5 inches, 2016.
Zach Bruder, Monument Around, acrylic and flashe on linen, 52 x 58.5 inches, 2016.

Sarah Bednarek and Leigh Ruple at Morgan Lehman Gallery

Cancer treatment in 2009 caused Sarah Bednarek to experience hallucinations of a geometric world; in her show at Morgan Lehman Gallery, she manifests these visions as sculptural forms that seem to simultaneously offer the mysteries of a red void and the domestic banality of veneered wood. Behind, Leigh Ruple’s vividly colored, lethargic character is barely contained by the canvas. (In Chelsea through July 29th).

Sarah Bednarek, Concave Sibling, MDF walnut, paint, 30 x 30 x 30 inches, 2016 (foreground.)  Leigh Ruple, Listless, Idle, oil on canvas, 60 x 66 inches, 2014.
Sarah Bednarek, Concave Sibling, MDF walnut, paint, 30 x 30 x 30 inches, 2016 (foreground.) Leigh Ruple, Listless, Idle, oil on canvas, 60 x 66 inches, 2014.

Sharon Madanes in ‘Me, My, Mine’ at DC Moore Gallery

Sharon Madanes merges her preoccupations with hand washing and chairs in this standout painting in DC Moore Gallery’s summer group exhibition. Wearing beads of water like jewelry, an unknown woman (in a cheongsam?) reaches into our space – the seats and table behind suggest we’re about to dine with this mysterious character. (In Chelsea through July 29th).

Sharon Madanes, On the Other Hand, oil, acrylic, and chair caning on canvas, 22 x 25 inches, 2016.
Sharon Madanes, On the Other Hand, oil, acrylic, and chair caning on canvas, 22 x 25 inches, 2016.