Winter Fever

A Review by Maria Kozak (MFA 2011)
A new year of art is upon us. Though it may have gotten off to a slow start; blame the blizzards, there are some exciting things on the horizon. So shovel yourself out of your winter doldrums and go see these shows.

Donald Judd

Pace has several formidable artists currently showing; Tara Donovan is already open in Chelsea. The show features Donovan's intricate drawings that are painstakingly rendered environments unto themselves. Donald Judd opens Thursday. Judd is arguably the the father of minimalist sculpture and is singlehandedly responsible for making Marfa, TX the art destination it is today. The show will focus on lesser known materials that Judd introduced into his work during the final decades of his life. Also look forward to Zhang Huan opening at the beginning of the March.

Also on Thursday night in Chelsea check out Academy alumni Jane La Farge Hamill, Caitlin Hurd, and Christian Johnson's take on the figure at their opening Aloft at J. Cacciola Gallery.

Hurd, Johnson and Hamill at J. Cacciola

Richard Butler

Richard Butler hypochondriacatthegramercyparkhotel opens Friday at Freight + Volume. The British artist/musician (Psychedelic Furs) paints hauntingly elegant portraits of coming of age youth with a minimalist palette and space reminiscent of Bacon. I am most seduced by the way he uses oil paint to depict surfaces like latex and bubble wrap when masking his subjects.

Robin Williams

Also in Chelsea go see Robin William's show The Rescue Party at P.P.O.W. William's work is a little Yuskavage, a little Currin, and a little early Micah Ganske. It is not to be missed by anyone interested in current figuration.





In museum news, there is a mid-career retrospective of George Condo's work that just opened at the New Museum. Condo's work constantly borrows from the historical cannon of western art as he subverts old and new masters.

George Condo

David Wojnarowicz

Finally, go see the Contemporary show at MoMA. There is a fantastic piece by everyone's favorite censored artist, David Wojnarowicz. The show is an investigation on provocative artwork discussing economics, gender and ethnicity since the late 60's.