Ghada Amer at Cheim and Read Gallery

Phrases like, ‘One is not born but rather becomes a woman,’ from feminist pioneer Simone de Beauvoir or actor Roseann Barr’s to-the-point observation that ‘Nobody gives you power you just take it,’ appear in Egyptian-born, Harlem-based artist Ghada Amer’s latest show at Chelsea’s Cheim and Read Gallery. Here, a bronze sculpture with text in Arabic extends the conversation to women in the Arab world. (Through May 10th).

Ghada Amer, foreground sculpture: The Words I Love the Most, bronze with black patina, 60 x 60 x 60 inches, 2012. Background painting on the right: The Big Black Bang – RFGA, acrylic, embroidery and gel medium on canvas, 102 x 132 inches, 2013.

Haim Steinbach in ‘Between the Lines,’ at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

Known for his careful arrangements of consumer objects on shelves, New York artist Haim Steinbach samples readymades of a different kind in this text piece.  Though the size of the greeting suggests it’s being offered at high volume, its punctuation implies a curtness lacking warmth.  (At Chelsea’s Tanya Bonakdar Gallery through Feb 8th).  

Haim Steinbach, ‘hello. again.’, text in matte black vinyl letters, dimensions variable, 2013.

Christian Marclay at Paula Cooper Gallery

Visitors expecting more of Christian Marclay’s enormously popular video work will get a shock from his latest solo show – a selection of paintings in which silkscreened, Roy Lichtenstein-like cartoon text meets Abstract Expressionist splashes of color.  (At Paula Cooper Gallery through Jan 18th.  Check website for holiday season opening hours.)  

Christian Marclay, Actions:  Whaak Plop Plooch Sooosh (No 4), screenprint and acrylic on canvas, 2013.