Inspired by ceramic traditions from Islamic Fritware to Wedgewood figurines, New York artist Francesca DiMattio irreverently combines them all in towering ceramics that recall totemic human figures. (At Salon94 Bowery on the Lower East Side through May 7th).
Francesca DiMattio, (foreground) Fetish Sculpture, glaze on porcelain and stoneware, 87 x 20 x 20 inches, 2015. (background) Chandelabra II, glaze and luster on porcelain and stoneware, epoxy, steel frame, 120 x 96 x 96 inches, 2015.
Unwary gallery-goers are likely to think they’ve walked into Klein Sun Gallery during installation when they see Beijing & Sydney-based artist Shen Shoamin’s paintings propped against the wall and encased in bubblewrap. The plastic is an illusion, however, painted on over blurry images of Warhol-derived soup cans to create the artist’s own take on art-world consumerism. (Through May 2nd).
Shen Shoamin, Handle with Care No 10 and No 12, oil on canvas, each 35 x 23 ¼ inches, 2014.
Fourteen arresting sculptures from the past 10 years by Daisy Youngblood at McKee Gallery include ‘Venus,’ one of several sensitive and dynamic renderings of primates. (In the 57th Street gallery district, through May 30th).
Daisy Youngblood, Venus, low-fire clay and hair, 2007.
Brooklyn sculptor Eric Fertman takes portraiture in a new direction with quirky biomorphic figures that make the digestive tract, for example, fun to think about. Even the tilting ‘Broken Man’ in the foreground appeals to the eye as he enacts an electric-yellow death dance. (At Susan Inglett Gallery in Chelsea through April 25th). Eric Fertman (foreground, yellow)
Broken Man, ash, paint, plywood, stain, steel, 75 x 40 x 36 inches, 2105.
Inspired by both somatic movement, which conceives of movement from within the body, and Latin American votive offerings, Janine Antoni’s new work features body parts from inside and out, presented as free-standing objects of spiritual value. (At Chelsea’s Luhring Augustine Gallery through April 25th).
Janine Antoni, to compose, polyurethane resin, ed of 3 and 1 artist’s proof, 35 x 20 x 24 inches, 2014.