Aric Obrosey in ‘Reticulate’ at McKenzie Fine Art

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If it isn’t obvious that New York artist Aric Obrosey’s paper artwork ‘Hand Production Lines’ involves a lot of work, hand cut motifs repeated to form lace-like chains come together to depict a giant work glove.  Created for the Museum of Art and Design’s ’09-’10 exhibition featuring cut paper artworks, the piece involves a mind boggling amount of detail and took nine months to complete.  (At McKenzie Fine Art on the Lower East Side through Aug 17th).  

Aric Obrosey, Hand Production Lines, cut paper, 41 ½ x 59 ½ inches, 2009.  Photo courtesy of McKenzie Fine Art.

Hank Willis Thomas at Jack Shainman Gallery

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Viewers have to look at just the right angle down a long, thick piece of Plexiglas to spy Hank Willis Thomas’ minstrel, a photo of a man painted half black and half white, then literally doubled by the material.  Like similar characters photographed by the artist, a seemingly clear cover obstructs a clear view, a metaphor for how perceptions of race can obscure identity.  (At Jack Shainman Gallery’s 24th Street space through Aug 17th).  

Hank Willis Thomas, ‘Invisible Man,’ Plexi block and a digital c-print on aluminum, 2013.

Rosie Lee Tompkins in ‘Roving Signs’ at Matthew Marks Gallery

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Further to yesterday’s post, another standout at Matthew Marks Gallery is this quilt by legendary (and pseudonymous) quilter Rosie Lee Tompkins.  Titled ‘Three Sixes,’ it follows Tompkins’ practice of making her quilts as a prayer for a loved one; in this case commemorating three relatives’ birthdays that involve the number six. (At Matthew Marks Gallery’s 522 W. 22nd St space through Aug 16th).  

Rosie Lee Tompkins, Three Sixes, polyester double-knit, polyester knit, broadcloth, ottoman, poplin, wool jersey with muslin backing, 1987.

Rachel Harrison in ‘Roving Signs’ at Matthew Marks Gallery

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American folk tradition inspired Matthew Marks Gallery’s summer group show ‘Roving Signs,’ which includes this editioned sculpture by Rachel Harrison that conjures apple picking over Apple Macs and can-do crafting over mass consumption.  (At Matthew Marks Gallery’s 522 W. 22nd St space through Aug 16th).  

Rachel Harrison, Apple Multiple, artificial fruit and sewing pins, 2008.

William Daniels at Luhring Augustine Gallery

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In his latest solo show at Chelsea’s Luhring Augustine Gallery, British artist William Daniels continues to walk the line between abstraction and representation in new paintings for which he constructed, photographed, then painted arches made of aluminum foil.  (Through Aug 16th).  

William Daniels, Untitled, 42 3/8 x 41 ¾ inches, oil on board, 2013.