Gary Hume at Matthew Marks Gallery

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British artist Gary Hume made his name by painting hospital doors like these in the 90s, as England controversially debated public vs private health care.  Here, he had doors constructed that lead in to a second gallery housing attractive glossy enamel paintings featuring disquieting subjects, including versions of an off center wheel derived from a sniper’s sight that reference conflict in Iraq.  (At Matthew Marks’ 522 W. 22nd Street location through Dec 21st.)  

Gary Hume, Installation view of ‘The Wonky Wheel,’ at Matthew Marks Gallery.  Wheel:  The Wonky Wheel (Red), enamel on aluminum, 2013.  Door:  How to Paint a Door, gallery door, 2013.

Ilya Kabakov at Pace Gallery

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Highly celebrated, Ukraine born, Long Island-based painter Ilya Kabakov departs from the collage style of his other paintings in this recent work titled ‘The Window into my Past,’ in which a history painting not only dominates the wall but the minds of these young students.  (At Pace Gallery on 57th Street through Dec 21st).  

Ilya Kabakov, The Window into my Past, oil on canvas, 2012.

Gu Wenda at Chambers Fine Art

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New York based Chinese artist Gu Wenda draws on scholarly Chinese painting for these nine and a half feet tall, ink on rice paper on board drawings, each featuring a landscape and calligraphy and relating to his recent project proposal for a landscaped garden rich with symbolism.  (At Chambers Fine Art in Chelsea through Dec 21st).  

Gu Wenda, installation view of ‘Central Park’ at Chambers Fine Art, Nov, 2013.  (In the foreground:  Central Park – Concept #1:  Winter Snow, chinese ink, rice paper mount on wooden board, 2008).

Emily Noelle Lambert at Lu Magnus

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Titled ‘Curio Logic,’ New York based artist Emily Noelle Lambert’s solo show at Lower East Side gallery Lu Magnus presents works on paper showing what look like shelves of curios.  Culling images from old sketchbooks, drawings and even remnants of her students work, she reworks the imagery into enticing story fragments.  (Through Dec 22nd).  

Emily Noelle Lambert, ‘May You Be Filled Collection,’ mixed media on paper, 2009.

Hellen van Meene at Yancey Richardson

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Dutch photographer Hellen van Meene is known for traveling around the world to capture still, exquisite images of young people; her latest solo show at Chelsea’s Yancey Richardson Gallery zeros in on girls closer to home, photographing them with pets to study the interaction between them.  (Through Dec 21st).  

Hellen van Meene, Untitled #390, from the series ‘Dogs and Girls,’ 16 x 16 inches, 2012.