Art This Week: Riffs On History and Hyperreal Sculptures

A Part of US
Opening Thursday, November 7 at Geary. On view through December 20.

The first thing an onlooker might notice about the works of Yvette Mayorga is the color, which draws you in with its fluorescent brightness and candied hues. Next, you might notice its unique style, consisting of acrylic piping on canvas instead of brushstrokes. Paired with the colors, the works almost resemble elaborate baked goods or confections—even her sculptures, made of glazed porcelain, could look good enough to eat. Mayorga isn’t just looking to please one’s sweet tooth; her work (on view starting Thursday at Soho gallery Geary) also provides commentary on the so-called American Dream, which isn’t quite so dreamy for everyone. 

50 Years of Looking Good
Opening Thursday, November 7 at Chase Contemporary, 5:30 pm to 8 pm. On view through December 12.

From a distance, Carole Feuerman’s creations resemble elaborate, athletic performance art. Bodies pose cross-legged and upside down, their limbs and faces refusing to budge. It’s even more impressive to learn these aren’t hyper-still humans but sculptures, expertly crafted to look real, in an uncanny-valley kind of way. Feuerman has been creating these Hyperrealist sculptures—most of which depict women—for decades now, leading to her current status as one of the most sought-after sculptors in her genre. To commemorate both her 50-year career and a new book on her art, Chelsea’s Chase Contemporary will be showing a collection of Feuerman’s sculptures, including updated versions of old classics.

It’s more about us
Opening Saturday, November 9 at Selenas Mountain, 7 pm to 10 pm. On view through December 14.

Artists Asif Hoque and Sanié Bokhari will be teaming up for the latest show at Ridgewood space Selenas Mountain. Both artists work in similar but different mediums (Hoque in painting and drawing, Bokhari in mixed media sculpture and painting), and both are inspired by their heritage (Bangladeshi and Pakistani, respectively). Additionally, both artists have a style that feels simultaneously contemporary and ancient, depicting the human form (particularly the female form) in ways that refresh more archaic artistic norms while still clinging to their recognizable aesthetic.