6 Enthralling Art and Design Exhibitions to See in New York Now
From an extraordinary Arshile Gorky painting to an expansive show of trailblazing Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa, these are the most exciting and thought-provoking shows of the month
1. “Ruth Asawa” at David Zwirner
This must-see exhibition at David Zwirner’s West 20th Street location presents Ruth Asawa’s most iconic and beloved looped–wire sculptures alongside her remarkable and lesser-known drawing practice as well as smaller, rarely seen sculptures. Curated by Helen Molesworth, the show is slated to be one of the most comprehensive looks at the late Japanese American artist’s work to date, following the gallery’s first two shows of her work in 2017 and 2020. Unbeknownst to most, Asawa’s art training was primarily in design and drawing, and the act of drawing was part of her daily routine. The swirling, meandering lines and patterns on paper mirror her three dimensional sculptures, which can be considered drawings in space. The thoughtful show attempts to shed light on how art and life were truly intertwined for the trailblazing artist as she was in constant pursuit of pure form. Opens November 4
2. “Genieve Figgis: Immortal Reflection” at Almine Rech New York
Inspired by rococo painters like Jean-Honoré Fragonard and François Boucher, on-the-rise talent Genieve Figgis creates what she dubs “cover versions” of their work. The paintings on view at Almine Rech explore notions of pleasure and satire, sensitivity and subversion. Figgis’s unique take on the originals is filled with her own personality, a delightful reimagining of the historic that is sure to impress. Opens November 4
3. “Arshile Gorky” at Hauser and Wirth
On November 16, art lovers are sure to be captivated by the story of an Arshile Gorky painting that was found hidden under one of his works on paper during a routine check by conservators. Displayed on the walls of the National Gallery of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art for years, The Limit (1947) concealed a masterpiece underneath that was only revealed after conservators Michaela Ritter and Olivier Masson of the Swiss restoration studio Masson and Ritter painstaking pulled back the layers. The newly discovered artwork, named Untitled (Virginia Summer) (1946-47) by his estate, is an entirely new addition to his oeuvre and will be on view at Hauser and Wirth this November. Opens November 16
4. “Xavier Veilhan: Autofocus” at Perrotin
The celebrated multidisciplinary French artist Xavier Veilhan is bringing a group of dazzling new figurative and architectural sculptures to the third floor of Perrotin’s New York gallery. Titled “For Autofocus,” the must-see show is a continuation of his experiments in movement and memory. Responding to the soaring double-height ceilings of the space, Veilhan’s figures are sculpted at different scales, ranging from life-size to monumental. “The work’s appearance is conditioned by the spectator’s gaze,” says the artist. Opens November 3
5. “Open and Closed” at the Future Perfect
The contemporary design gallery the Future Perfect has partnered with the Danish Arts Foundation to present nine emerging Danish artisans for their latest show. Visitors will discover the work of nine creatives, who were each tasked with exploring the concept of a box, both metaphorically and as a functional object. “The box is a poignant symbol of spaces as they are opened and closed and of the rigid conditions under which many artworks are made and presented,” says director Laura Young, who curated the show. On view through December 15
6. “Stories from the New World” at Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery
“Stories from the New World” is an an exhibition of newly commissioned work from seven remarkable artist-designers, all based in the U.S. and Caribbean, with engaging themes of identity, heritage, and place. Spearheaded by Ashlee Harrison, the gallery’s director of Americas, the show is guest-curated by Wava Carpenter and Anna Carnick of Anava Projects. “We’re honored to work with such an incredible group of young artists for this exhibition,” says Harrison. “The work of these seven incredible talents speaks strongly to their personal narrative, and explores use of experimental techniques, materials, and processes in a very poetic and sculptural manner.” Highlights include seaweed-based works by Indian-born, New York-based textile artist Anubha Sood and Colorado ceramicist Isabella Maroon’s works that are dotted with colorful remnants of her past creations. Through January 22