Spring Gallery Guide: Part 1
At long last, the weather is warming up! Go for a stroll and be sure to visit these incredible gallery shows.
Here are this season’s must-see gallery exhibitions in NYC.
Nathalie Terenzini: Mouse Trap at Thierry Goldberg
Although the colors are highly saturated and the figures aren’t exactly realistic, Nathalie Terenzini’s approach to womanhood is completely unfiltered. At the age of 25, Terenzini is able to capture the most private yet relatable moments of selfcare that are sometimes luxurious and sometimes shameful. As viewers, it’s impossible to not feel a sense of intrusion as we catch the reoccurring, dark-haired character smoking cigarettes in bed or standing stark naked while curling her hair. Don’t miss these vibrant portraits that champion “authenticity over fantasy”, on view at Thierry Goldberg until May 27th!
Through May 27
109 Norfolk Street
Image: Nathalie Terenzini, What Do You Know, 2022
Hilary Pecis elevates the mundane. Adorning the walls of Rachel Uffner Gallery are Pecis’ extremely ordinary still-lifes, but you’ll find yourself staring at them for way longer than you would if they were the real thing. They are at once still-lifes and portraits – each array of objects says so much more about a person than any depiction of their physical features would. Although the scenes are figure free, they are undoubtedly lived in and loved, from the remnants of a casual backyard picnic to a messy household. While the show has sold out almost instantly, what you’ll take with you is a new admiration for your daily surroundings – an invaluable consolation.
Through May 14
170 Suffolk Street
Image: Hilary Pecis, Clementine’s Bookshelf, 2021
At Denny Dimin Gallery, artist-duo Future Retrieval has transformed the gallery space into an aquarium. Prior to the pandemic, Katie Parker and Guy Michael Davis of Future Retrieval ran a large sculpture studio at the University of Cincinnati, complete will all the best tools, endless materials, and many peers. In 2020, the couple relocated to Arizona where they now practice out of a much smaller, modest studio in their own home, the resulting “work being more handmade and unique than ever before”. These pieces are featured in their latest show Crystal-Walled Seas, where it’s clear that the couple was more than just inspired by the home aquarium. Their creative process entails intensive research and lot’s of trial and error – you don’t want to miss this special tribute to the aquascape.
Through June 4
39 Lispenard Street
Image: Future Retrieval, Swim Through, Cryptic Yellow, 2022
Watercolor portraits of wild animals currently line the walls of Gagosian’s Chelsea location. The paintings are done by Walton Ford, who interprets the animals as we might imagine them rather than in true scenes of nature. He draws upon centuries-old explorers’ notebooks, fables, film, and other forms of art to create images that are at once familiar and fantastical. The show has just been extended until May 7th, so you still have a chance to be mesmerized by these colorful creatures.
Through May 7
555 West 24th Street
Image: Walton Ford, Stac an Armin, 2021
At The Hole’s new Tribeca location, mauve-colored walls instantly exude the love and warmth that is promised in the current show’s title, You Know What, You Are Loved :). Although Ghanian artist Kpe Innocent has found inspiration in the Bauhaus movement and minimalism – styles that typically include harsh geometry and a colder mood – he is able to employ their motifs while still creating feelings of tenderness and approachability. The title seems to speak both to the sullen, ambiguous figure who reoccurs in Innocent’s paintings, as well as any viewer passing through that needs to hear it.
Through May 7
86 Walker Street
Image: Kpe Innocent, Never Give Up, Never Lose Love, 2022
Akinsanya Kambon’s raku-fired ceramic sculptures are making their New York City debut at Jack Shainman Gallery. These works are inspired by the Yoruba legends from West African nations, where Kambon has frequently traveled to. His relationship with spirits and the unknown is what makes the raku firing technique so appealing to him, as there is an element of uncertainty and spontaneity in the process. This specific way of firing makes it so that the final color of the work is uncontrollably tampered with and only becomes known once the piece is dry – come see the incredible results for yourself!
Through May 7
524 West 24th Street
Image: Akinsanya Kambon, Osanyin, 2022
As is done in many mosaic works, Cameron Welch draws from religious iconography – though he mixes this in with images from the horror film Scream and other pop culture references. This wide range of subject matter mimics his numerous kinds of materials used, as hand-cut pieces of marble, glass, stone, and tile can be seen in these massive, dazzling installations. Through carefully crafted compositions, Welch creates a self-portrait, comments on current socio-political issues, and highlights the importance of mosaics in African art history, as it is has long been neglected in western art institutions.
Through May 7
245 10th Avenue
Image: Cameron Welch, Dancing With Yourself, 2022
Nicole Eisenman is an extremely established artist – they are a MacArthur Foundation Fellow and have had work featured in multiple major biennials. Starting May 5th at Hauser & Wirth, Eisenman will have two floors dedicated to their most recent sculptures and paintings, full of insightful commentary on contemporary socio-political issues. You don’t want to miss this important show on one of today’s leading artists!
May 5 - July 29
542 West 22nd Street
Image: Nicole Eisenman, Big Cat, 2022
Clive Smith is fascinated by the possibility of bringing extinct animals back to life. This is a feat he is able to achieve through his art, which he does so by fusing certain species with the painting styles of many revolutionary artists. The results are a wonderfully strange collection of birds and a prime example of how art history can be reused and take on new life. Among the creations are a Rothko Pelican, a Richtor Pigeon, and a Monet Spoonbill; you’ll definitely want to check out these rare birds.
Through June 4
299 Grand Street
Image: Clive Smith, Noland Owl (Strix spring call), 2022
There’s another show that you must see at MARC STRAUS this season, and that’s Michael Brown’s In the meantime… Brown began his career as a sculptor, and so it makes sense that there is another dimension in his canvases, both physically and conceptually. These multi-media paintings are a continuation of his extremely popular “gold-leaf” collection of 2019, and even while they persist to be calming images, they seem to stir up lots of self-reflection.
Through June 4
299 Grand Street
Image: Michael Brown, Eternal Nightfall, 2021