Arturo Herrera at Sikkema Jenkins

Found paintings, shopping bags, books and more items gathered from his everyday life in Berlin and New York inspired the abstract collage-paintings in Arturo Herrera’s latest solo show. (At Sikkema Jenkins in Chelsea through Nov 15th).

Arturo Herrera, Untitled (Liebe), mixed media on canvas, 43.25 x 22.5 inches, 2014.

Lucas Ajemian at Marlborough Gallery

If you’re an artist who thinks your work might be improved by being destroyed, you might want to talk to New York based artist Lucas Ajemian. Ajemian has created this work – reminiscent of a reclining figure in a weathered fresco from a Roman villa – and the others in his latest solo show at Marlborough Gallery’s Lower East Side location by treating, then machine washing other artists’ paintings. (Through June 8th).

Lucas Ajemian, Laundered Painting (20 x 16) I, painting on canvas, 2014.

John Riepenhoff at Marlborough Gallery, Lower East Side

Working by the light of a lamp or with no artificial light at all, Milwaukee-based artist John Riepenhoff has created his night sky paintings in the city and country.  Explaining that he can’t see much of what he’s doing while he’s painting, each is a surprise in the morning.  (At Marlborough Gallery, Lower East Side through Feb 9th.)  

John Riepenhoff, Plein Air (Isle of Eigg), acrylic on canvas, 2013.

Amy Bessone at Salon 94

Amy Bessone’s pencil holder fists unite in vague protest in her current solo show at Salon94 Bowery on the Lower East Side.  A nearby poster warns, ‘Don’t Truncate Me!’  Already truncated, the hands become resistance tchotchkes. (through June 14th).

Amy Bessone, installation view of  ‘In the Green Room’ (foreground is ‘Number…(Numbers),’ ceramic, pencil, 2013).