Mamma Andersson at David Zwirner Gallery

Dolls, puppets, and dancers populate Swedish artist Mamma Andersson’s new, theatrically lit show at Chelsea’s David Zwirner Gallery. This towering character has a bonnet and a complexion to match the porcelain on her side cabinet. (Through Feb 14th).

Mamma Andersson, installation view of ‘Behind the Curtain,’ at David Zwirner Gallery, January, 2015.

Sebastiao Salgado at Yancey Richardson Gallery

Ocean waves smoothed the base of this iceberg while wind erosion and detached ice carved the top into this majestic, castle-like form. It’s one of the many stunning images from Sebastiao Salgado’s latest ‘Genesis’ series – for which the artist travelled the world photographing landscapes untouched by modernization – currently on view at Chelsea’s Yancey Richardson Gallery. (Through Jan 24th).

Sebastiao Salgado, Fortress of Solitude, Antarctica, 24 x 25 inches, gelatin silver print, 2005.

Matthew Chambers at Zach Feuer Gallery

Like a studio visit and gallery show rolled into one, Matthew Chambers’ solo show at Zach Feuer Gallery presents both books of ideas and finished paintings. Though the paintings appear to be unchallenging but pretty floral designs, the gallery explains that they’re designed to ‘transfix viewers by their own experience of seeing.’ (Through Feb 7th).

Matthew Chambers, installation view of solo show at Zach Feuer Gallery, January 2015.

Xu Zhen in ‘By Proxy’ at James Cohan Gallery

Shanghai artist-provocateur Xu Zhen shows a piece from his ‘Eternity’ series at James Cohan Gallery that literalizes the idea of ‘East meeting West’ in an absurd combination of classical refinement and enlightenment. (In Chelsea through Jan 17th).

Xu Zhen, Eternity-Aphrodite of Knidos, Tang Dynasty Sitting Buddha, glass fiber-reinforced concrete, marble grains, sandstone grains, mineral pigments, steel, 139 ¾ x 35 13/16 x 35 13/16 inches, 2014.

Joan Bankemper in ‘Cutout/Decoupage’ at Nancy Hoffman Gallery

Known for her elaborate, nature-inspired ceramic vessels, Joan Bankemper’s three-part contribution to Nancy Hoffman Gallery’s winter group exhibition is a serenely gorgeous reminder that winter won’t last forever. (In Chelsea through Jan 24th).

Joan Bankemper, installation view of ‘Cutout/Decoupage’ at Nancy Hoffman Gallery, December 2014.