The Phrygian cap, worn as a symbol of emancipation in the French revolution and before, inspired American sculptor Martin Puryear’s new work at Chelsea’s Matthew Marks Gallery. As a series of sculptures that point to freedom, Puryear’s work goes beyond formally attractive objects to suggest justice as its own form of beauty. (Through Jan 10th).
Martin Puryear (foreground), Big Phrygian, painted red cedar, 2010-2014.
British Pop art icon David Hockney has said that there’s drama whenever more than one person appears in a picture, but his recent ‘photographic drawing’ seen here is less about human interaction than experimentation with perspective. Working in his LA studio, Hockney photographed friends, studio assistants and furniture (as well as his own paintings in the background) to create an intriguing, uncanny image composed of multiple different perspectives enhanced by digitally drawn-in shadows. (At Chelsea’s Pace Gallery through Jan 10th).
David Hockney, The Potted Palm, photographic drawing shown on a 55 inch Sony Ultra HD screen, 48 5/8” x 29 1/4’” x 2 5/8”, 2014.
Hands down, one of the hottest shows of the season in Chelsea is Takashi Murakami’s current solo at Gagosian Gallery, featuring towering demons guarding an ancient Japanese sacred gate crafted by Japanese artisans. After Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Murakami watched the nation turn to things spiritual…with this show, he makes a response by offering up his own quasi-religion. (Through Jan 17th).
Installation view of Takashi Murakami’s ‘In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow,’ Gagosian Gallery, Nov 2014.
Enabled to create her art through Oakland’s ‘Creative Growth’s studio program for artists with disabilities, Judith Scott spent the last almost 20 years of her creative life crafting yarn, thread and other materials into dense bundles. The piece in the foreground testifies to her drive – when no other materials were available to her, she gathered paper toweling from the restroom or kitchen to use. (At the Brooklyn Museum, through March 29th).
Installation view of ‘Judith Scott’ at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Foreground: Judith Scott, Untitled, fiber and found objects, 27 x 23 x 17 inches, 1994.
Young Danish artist Alexander Tovborg painted one abstracted image of a dinosaur, turned it to the wall and from memory painted the next, creating this row of images that rely on memory and depict now extinct – yet gorgeously colored – creatures. (At Nicelle Beauchene Gallery on the Lower East Side through Dec 21st).
Alexander Tovborg, Eternal Feminine (I), felt, pastel crayon, acrylic and imitated gold leaf on wood panel, 48 x 36 inches, 2014.
