In 1971 and 1975, Philip Guston created a powerful series of drawings as protest to then-president Richard Nixon’s policies, in particular his decision to visit China after years of anti-Communist rhetoric. Now on view at Hauser & Wirth’s new Chelsea location, this drawing shows the former president scrapping with his advisor Henry Kissinger at his Florida retreat as an empty speech bubble rises with the clouds. (At Hauser & Wirth Gallery in Chelsea through January 14th).
Doris Salcedo’s interconnected concrete-filled wardrobes are a standout in her beautiful, somber show at the Guggenheim Museum; using personal possessions, Salcedo uses the furniture to speak to the suspended lives of political detainees and the ‘disappeared’ in her native Columbia. (Through October 12th).
Doris Salcedo, installation view of Untitled Works, 1989-2008, Sept 2015.
The Gulf War, AIDS crisis, Savings and Loan collapse and more inspired Chicago Imagist artist Roger Brown’s paintings from the 80s and early ‘90s, including ‘Landscape with Dollar Sign,’ in which a huge dollar sign materializes from the clouds over two tiny human figures like a doomsday omen. (At DC Moore Gallery through July 31st).
Roger Brown, Landscape with Dollar Sign, oil on canvas, 48 x 72 inches, 1991.
Against video of sunsets shot on a Rauschenberg residency in Florida, numbers flash in anticipation of the 18 minutes prior to sunset in veteran video-artist Charles Atlas’ latest solo show at Chelsea’s Luhring Augustine Gallery. Titled ‘The Waning of Justice,’ the show decries the current political state of the country with help in the back gallery from legendary drag performer Lady Bunny. (Through March 14th).
Charles Atlas, installation view of ‘The Waning of Justice,’ at Luhring Augustine, Feb 2015.
Black, yellow, red and white rectangles in Sadie Benning’s ‘Julie’s Rug’ painting suggest a national flag but the title refers to artist, activist and Group Material co-founder Julie Ault. Part of Benning’s solo show ‘Patterns’ at Callicoon Fine Arts on the Lower East Side, the handmade forms zing with energy and import. (Through Oct 26th).
Sadie Benning, Julie’s Rug, medite, aqua resin, casein and acrylic, 60 5/8 x 70 3/8 inches, 2014.
