Doris Salcedo at Alexander and Bonin Gallery

Bogota-based artist Doris Salcedo continues to carefully craft sculpture that speaks to violence and oppression with what ‘A Flor de Piel,’ a blanket of treated, waxed and sewn rose petals which she refers to as this shroud or skin.  (At Alexander and Bonin Gallery in Chelsea through July 26th).  

Doris Salcedo, A Flor de Piel, rose petals and thread, 2013.

Philadelphia Wireman at Invisible Exports

An art student discovered a cache of tiny sculptures left on the sidewalk for the trash truck; thirty years later, they’re renowned as the work of the anonymous outsider artist known as the Philadelphia Wireman.  Invisible Exports enlivens a selection of them by showing them alongside a huge Vik Muniz photo from his Pictures of Junk series.  (On the Lower East Side through July 13).

Alexandre da Cunha at Simon Preston Gallery

London-based Brazilian artist Alexandre da Cunha’s cement-mixer turned art-object brings to mind ancient bells or a new archaeological find.  Supported by a concrete square on a plinth on the concrete gallery floor, it points to the labor involved in art-making and exhibiting.  (At the Lower East Side’s Simon Preston Gallery through August 4th).  

Alexandre da Cunha, Full Catastrophe (drum XIV), cement mixer drum, concrete, wooden plinth, 2013.

Francis Upritchard at Anton Kern Gallery

Francis Upritchard’s medieval-looking characters ride, run, lunge and more as they engage in slightly ludicrous one-sided combat.  Their expressions read as aloof, nauseous or perhaps both, which seems fitting for such convincingly-executed weedy warriors. (At Chelsea’s Anton Kern Gallery through August 9th)  

Francis Upritchard, installation view at Anton Kern Gallery featuring ‘Rider,’ modeling material, wire, fabric, leather and shell buttons, 2012.

Dario Escobar at Josee Bienvenu Gallery

Guatamala City-based artist Dario Escobar’s sculpture ‘Obverse & Reverse (Cloud 11)’ may look like a scientific model, but this mobile of inside-out soccer balls offers a new take on the sport as ‘the beautiful game.’   (At Josee Bienvenu Gallery through July 18th).

Dario Escobar, Obverse & Reverse (Cloud 11), latex, leather, string and steel, 2013.