Zinaida in ‘Women and Other Wild Creature: Matrilineal Tales’ at Sapar Contemporary

Centered on female experience and knowledge, Ukrainian artist Zinaida’s art practice has delved into traditional crafts and customs of remote rural communities in Western Ukraine.  Over years of research trips, the artist has come to know traditional craftswomen, such as a maker of goose feather bridal crowns who before passing away left the artist a partial crown and instructions to finish it. In this piece at Sapar Contemporary, the customary red necklace worn by a bride is enlarged into an ungainly adornment, turned dark as if blackened by fire representing ‘arid land, charred wood.’ (On view through August 26th).

Zinaida, Black Bride, 23 5/8 x 35 3/8 inches, 2022.

Janet Sobel at Andrew Edlin Gallery

On her way to developing an abstract, dripped-paint style that influenced Jackson Pollock in the 1940s, New York artist Janet Sobel painted scenes inspired by the shtetls of her native Ukraine.  Now on view at Andrew Edlin Gallery, a selection of Sobel’s work shows her flattening of space and merger of a flowery landscape, patterned skirt and floral headdress in a way that flirts with all-over abstraction.  (On view on the Lower East Side through Feb 22nd).

Janet Sobel, Untitled, gouache on board, 10.5 x 7.5 inches, c. 1943-48.