Claudia Martinez Garay in ‘Ilaciones’ at Timothy Taylor Gallery

Young Peruvian artist Claudia Martinez Garay’s paintings on plaster in the form of squash associate identity with the products of the land, personality with nourishment.  Though gourds go through quick cycles of growth and decay relative to humans, this shape appears ancient, taking the mind back through distant human histories tied closely to the land.  (On view at Timothy Taylor Gallery in Chelsea through July 26th).

Claudia Martinez Garay, Untitled (head), plaster and watercolor, 5 7/8 x 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 inches, 2018.

Sarah Lucas in ‘Lightness of Being’ at City Hall Park

Anyone ready to harvest squash from their garden in the coming weeks will appreciate British artist Sarah Lucas’ mother of all zucchini at City Hall Park, one of two gigantic cast concrete sculptures titled ‘Florian’ and ‘Kevin’ that summarize excess in vegetable form.  (Through December 13th).  

Sarah Lucas, Florian and Kevin, cast concrete, 2013.