A Painter’s Top 12 Picks From the New York Art Fairs

Last week, the art market descended upon New York as hundreds of galleries left their native white cubes to show in art fairs across the city. Armory Arts Week is a viewing bonanza for buyers, seller, and art lovers alike. Personally, I enjoy seeing art fairs with other artists, their deep understanding of material and technique often sheds new light or, at the very least, introduces new questions to how I think about artistic process. For this year’s Armory Arts Week run-down Cultbytes has invited the artist Liza Lacroix to share her highlights. You may have gotten a taste of New York based, Canadian born artist Liza Lacroix‘s proclivities in the arts when she guested our Instagram account. Or, perhaps you have been privy to her gallery’s programming? MAW is located on 56 Henry Street in Chinatown. Lacroix’s own painting, in oil, is bold and violent with weight on composition. Her tastes in art both overlaps with and diverts from her own practice.

See Liza Lacroix’s top picks from The Armory Show, Independent, and NADA below.

THE ARMORY SHOW

Previous: Liza Lacroix, oil on canvas, 2016.  Above: Abraham David Christian, “Missippi,” 1997, Graphite on paper.

Abraham Davis at PI ARTWORKS,  Istanbul/London.

I love the repetition here. Abraham David hones in on the patterns we see in nature, making us remember how delicate nature’s simplicity can be.

 

Nevine Mahmoud, “Auto Body part 1,” 2017, alabaster, resin, steel, paint. “Effeminate form,” 2017, alabaster, calcite and steel rod.

Nevine Mahmoud at M+B, Los Angeles.

These marble pieces by Nevine Mahmoud are chic and I want to own one.

 

Mohamed Bourouissa, “Windows,” 2016, black and white silver print on car body parts.

Mohamed Bourouissa KAMMEL AND MENNOUR, Paris.

Mohamad Bourouissa’s photo transfer “windows” are ghostly in their power and bring forth feelings of nostalgia.

Talia Chetrit, “Plastic Nude”, 2016, inkjet print

Talia Chetrit at SIES + HöKE, Dusseldorf.

This photo by Talia Chetrit is so good. No need to elaborate.

INDEPENDENT

Anna Betbeze, from left to right, “Tatter Dumpling,” 2017, 30 x 24 inches, wool, acid dyes, ash. “Solar Sundown,”2016, 75 x 55 inches, wool, acid dyes, India ink. And, a new series of sculptures.

Anna Betbeze at JAY GORNEY, New York.

A master of creating dialogues using texture and color, Anna Betbeze tests the boundaries of material in her production process by distressing wool with fire and acid, among other things. These have left an imprint on my own creative output.

Michel Journiac, “Rita Hayworth.”

Michel Journiac at GALERIE CHRISTOPHE GAILLARD, Paris.

These photo portraits by Michel Journiac are so minimal and dramatic but remain extremely vulnerable and personal through the subject’s gaze.

Howardena Pindell, “Video drawings,” 1974-1976.

Howarderna Pindell at GARTH GREENAN GALLERY, New York.

I don’t love sports imagery normally, but Howardena Pindell’s photo/drawing’s are striking.

 

Magali Reus, “Toucan Brow,” 2016.

Magali Reus at THE APPROACH, London.

Magali Reus’s sculptural work is compelling because of its attention to detail. Every decision is meticulously considered.

NADA

Naotaka Hiro

Naotaka Hiro at BRENNAN & GRIFFIN, New York.

I love dynamic composition and Naotaka Hiro’s mark-making is intense, yet balanced.

Paul Harris, “Brown,”  pastel on paper.

Paul Harris at Ed. VARIE, New York.

Never underestimate the power of a good still life. Thank you, Paul Harris.

Latoya Ruby Frazier, “If everybody’s work is equally important,” Cyanotypes, 2016.

Latoya Ruby Frazier at LOWER EAST SIDE PRINTSHOP, New York.

Cyanotypes are elegant. These figure’s poses are very unique and subtle and create a sense calm.

Omari Douglin, “I hit a lick and I’m gonna buy some Versace” and “Neutral Come up,” 2017, oil on canvas.

Omari Douglin at MRS., Maspeth.

Omari Douglin recently dropped by my studio so I feel close to his work. His paint application is very mature; you can tell he’s aware of painting’s history, despite his comical subject matter.

Liza Lacroix is a Montreal born artist and curator based in New York. She is half of the artist run space MAW and has exhibited internationally in both solo and group shows. MAW is located on 56 Henry Street in Chinatown, New York.