Midweek Roundup: 6/19
Walton Ford (b. 1960) established his reputation in the 1990s with his monumental watercolors of wild animals. He is fascinated with the perception of wilderness in the collective imagination and by the consequences of human behavior—from colonialism to climate change. The exhibition celebrates the gift of 63 studies from the artist to the Morgan Library & Museum, including detailed renderings made from observation in zoos and natural history museums across the country. Accompanying Ford’s work, the exhibition features a selection of animal drawings and prints by artists in the Morgan’s holdings, selected and interpreted by Ford.
NEW
2. Josh Smith: Life Drawing
The Drawing Center presents the first exhibition of drawings by acclaimed contemporary artist, Josh Smith. This is the artist’s homage to Antiguan artist, Frank Walter (1926-2009). Both artists share a commitment to approaching their subjects with honesty, curiosity and humble dedication. The exhibition includes 30 drawings that span Smith’s career. Although he’s known for his vibrant paintings and prints, ranging from abstractions to subjects such as “Grim Reapers” and the natural world, Smith has also been making simple pen and pencil sketches of these subjects.
In Smith’s words, “Frank and I share the love for making deep and beautiful images. Regardless of what that means.”
3. Arlene Shechet: Girl Group
This exhibition brings together the artist’s recent work in wood, steel, ceramic, paper, and bronze with 6 new monumental sculptures created for Storm King Art Center. Through her signature emphasis on process and improvisation, Shechet (b. 1951) harnesses the expressive power of geometry, line, color, and form in works displayed across Storm King’s hills, fields, and galleries.
4. Käthe Kollwitz
Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945) was committed to art for social and political change. With much of her work focusing on themes of motherhood, grief, and resistance, she brought visibility to the working class and asserted the female point of view as a necessity. This is the first major retrospective devoted to Kollwitz at a New York museum in recent memory. This is also the largest exhibition of her work in the US in more than 30 years, making it a must see!
“ I have no right to withdraw from the responsibility of being an advocate,” she wrote. “It is my duty to voice the sufferings of men, the never-ending sufferings heaped mountain-high.”
LAST CHANCE
5. Stanley: Whitney: By the Love of Those Unloved
This is Gagosian’s first exhibition of work by Stanley Whitney in New York. Featuring new paintings and works on paper, the exhibition is on view at the 980 Madison Avenue location.
A master colorist, Whitney takes a lyrical approach to painting. Each of his canvases is structured as a loose grid. Laying down one vivid color at a time, Whitney establishes relationships between each area, juxtaposing hues applied with varied degrees of opacity. Inspired by jazz, Whitney defines a space within which to improvise, each painting setting a unique group of chromatic and spatial harmonies in motion.
