Constructing Her Universe
Opening Thursday, September 5 at Sean Kelly, 6 pm to 8 pm. On view through October 19.
Most of the exhibitions in New York’s galleries center living artists who are actively making work today, but not always. This week, Chelsea art space Sean Kelly will be presenting the first American retrospective of Loló Soldevilla, a Cuban artist who predominantly made work during the abstraction heyday of the 1950’s. Though Soldevilla has been at times overshadowed by more well-known (and male) artists, her contributions to art in Latin America and beyond were groundbreaking and noteworthy—in addition to her innovations in the field of geometric abstraction, she also curated shows, co-founded a gallery, and advocated against political corruption.
That dear old picture on the wall
Opening Friday, September 6 at Theodore:Art, 6 pm to 8 pm. On view through October 20.
Though from the title this may seem like a solo exhibition by the artist Andrew Witkin, a closer look reveals many others had their hands in the creation of his multifaceted installation, on view starting Friday at Bushwick’s Theodore:Art. The installation is dynamic, subverting the typical gallery wall setup by adding additional beams, surfaces, and more made from unpainted wood. Decorating all these walls and surfaces (custom-built or otherwise) are essentially medleys of data, media, and texture: newspaper clippings, fabric, and photos, creating a collage of sorts that’s waiting to be discovered.
Graphite, ink, collage, pastels, 43.75 x 30 inches. (image via Fridman Gallery)
you are so loved and lovely
Opening Sunday, September 8 at Fridman Gallery, 4 pm to 8 pm. On view through October 12.
In a time as tumultuous as the current moment is, it can be tempting to fill all one’s free time with fear and anger. These feelings have their place, but it also feels refreshing to take a softer approach, like the one found in Fridman Gallery’s latest show, you are so loved and lovely. Even the title evokes a warm feeling in one’s soul. The exhibit consists of “works in dialog” by ruby onyinyechi amanze and Wura-Natasha Ogunji, two artists who have known each other for close to a decade. Since meeting in Nigeria, they have made work inspired by and in conversation with each other—amanze makes dreamy, pastel-tinged drawings on paper, while Ogunji oscillates between performance and visual art involving anything from colorful thread to public space itself. Sunday’s opening reception features an artist talk and a performance.