New York City is undeniably the best place in the world to experience art. With its dynamic gallery scene, world-class museums, and ever-evolving creative energy, the city offers an unparalleled feast for art lovers. This month, as I toured the latest gallery openings, I was reminded once again why NYC remains at the heart of the global art world. From bold contemporary statements to thought-provoking retrospectives, these exhibitions showcase the diversity and brilliance of today's artistic landscape. If you're looking for inspiration, here are my top five must-see art shows before they close in March and April-each offering a unique glimpse into the creativity that makes New York the ultimate destination for art enthusiasts.
Bronx Figures by John Ahearn & Rigoberto Torres at James Fuentes Gallery
February 13—March 8, 2025
"Bronx Figures," on view at James Fuentes Gallery, presents a striking collection of sculptural works by John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres, two artists renowned for their lifelike plaster casts of Bronx residents. Their sculptures, rich in character and authenticity, celebrate the everyday people of the borough—capturing their strength, warmth, and individuality with remarkable detail. Ahearn and Torres have spent decades collaborating with the community, and this exhibition highlights their enduring commitment to representing the Bronx with dignity and vibrancy. Each piece feels like a snapshot of life, inviting viewers to engage with the faces and stories that define the borough’s spirit. This is a must-see show for those who appreciate the power of portraiture and the intersection of art and community.
Watch the Exhibition: Bronx Figures
Puente de Plata by Antonio Santin at Marc Straus Gallery
January 10 - March 1, 2025
Antonio Santín’s Puente de Plata at Marc Straus Gallery showcases his mesmerizing technique of transforming oil paint into hyperrealistic, sculptural surfaces. Known for his intricate depictions of ornamental rugs, Santín meticulously builds up layers of paint using airbrushes and specialized tools, creating an illusion of woven fabric with astonishing depth and texture. His technique blurs the line between painting and sculpture, as the thick impasto forms folds and shadows that seem almost tangible. In Puente de Plata, his latest works continue to push the boundaries of perception, inviting viewers to question what is real and what is an illusion. This exhibition is a must-see for those fascinated by technical mastery and visual deception in contemporary art.
Watch the Exhibition: Puente de Plata
A Number of Things by Camille Henrot Hause & Wirth Gallery
January 30 – April 12
Camille Henrot's A Number of Things, marks her first major exhibition with the Hause & Wirth gallery. The show features a new series of large-scale bronze sculptures titled Abacus, inspired by children's developmental tools, footwear, distorted graphs, and ancient counting devices, exploring the tension between emerging imagination and societal systems of signs. Alongside these sculptures, Henrot presents vibrant new paintings from her Dos and Don'ts series, combining printing, painting, and collage techniques to playfully reinterpret etiquette books. Adding a whimsical and immersive element to the exhibition, the gallery also features a recreated dog park filled with playful dog sculptures, inviting visitors to reflect on the connections between human behavior, companionship, and the rules we create. A custom flooring installation, designed in collaboration with Charlap Hyman & Herrero, further transforms the space, making this a must-see, multi-sensory experience.
Watch Exhibition: A Number of Things
Laura Owens at Matthew Marks Gallery
January 13 - April 19
Laura Owens's latest exhibition at Matthew Marks Gallery offers an immersive experience that redefines the traditional gallery visit. Spanning two adjacent spaces at 522 and 526 West 22nd Street, the exhibition integrates every element into its design, including the employees' desks, which are seamlessly incorporated into the artistic environment. In two of the rooms, Owens has meticulously painted the walls to complement and extend the motifs of her canvases, creating a cohesive and enveloping visual narrative. A third room is dedicated to a series of handmade books she has crafted specifically for this show, inviting visitors to engage intimately with her creative process. This exhibition, running through April 19, 2025, exemplifies Owens's innovative approach to blurring the boundaries between art and its surroundings.
Portraits of Mine Okubo at Seizan Gallery
January 9 - March 1, 2025
Seizan Gallery consistently presents remarkable works of art, and this time is no exception with Portraits by Mine Okubo. This powerful exhibition showcases the resilience and artistic brilliance of Okubo, who, along with her family, was forcibly detained in a Japanese internment camp in the United States during World War II. Despite the harsh conditions of captivity, Okubo created a poignant body of work, secretly documenting the experiences of those around her. Fellow inmates safeguarded her drawings, ensuring they remained hidden from the authorities. After her release, she was able to continue her artistic journey, building an extraordinary career despite the traumas of her past. Portraits stands as both a testament to her strength and a reminder of a dark chapter in American history, making this exhibition a must-see.
and then some more…
Mask by En Iwamura at Ross Kramer Gallery
Jan 30th - Mar 22nd
En Iwamura's latest exhibition, Mask, features over 20 ceramic sculptures, including Iwamura's first wall-hanging pieces. Drawing inspiration from his childhood fascination with global masks at Osaka's National Museum of Ethnology, Iwamura explores the cultural and symbolic significance of masks, reflecting on their historical roles and contemporary relevance in a post-pandemic world. The exhibition also includes works from his Neo Jomon: Stacking Neighbor series, inspired by observing his son engage with the world through play. These vibrant ceramic sculptures, characterized by intricate surface patterns reminiscent of Buddhist Zen gardens and Jōmon-era pottery, invite viewers to reconnect with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
André Butzer at Skarsted Gallery
February 13 - April 26
André Butzer's inaugural solo exhibition at Skarstedt Gallery's Chelsea features ten large-scale paintings and fifteen works on paper, all created specifically for this show. Butzer's work merges European Expressionism with American pop culture, presenting vibrant compositions that explore societal contradictions and human dignity. His distinctive figures, both austere and whimsical, challenge conventional perceptions of humanity, inviting viewers to engage deeply with themes of creation, destruction, and renewal.
Watch Exhibition: André Butzer
Out of Body by Nathalia Edenmont Nancy Hoffman Gallery
January 30 to March 22
Nathalia Edenmont's exhibition, "Out of Body," marks a significant evolution in Edenmont's artistic journey, featuring 15 photographs and 7 Carrara marble sculptures centered on the motif of eggs, as well as a few marble lilies. These works delve into themes of fertility, fragility, and transformation, reflecting the artist's personal experiences and resilience. Notably, this is Edenmont's first foray into sculpture, expanding her exploration of life's delicate balances through a new medium.
