My NYC friend Sharyn took a break from sheltering in place and went to look at galleries for a few hours in Chelsea on Friday. I was absolutely green with envy and made her give me a full report. In recent years I have spent extended time in New York in October, and Sharyn and I love seeing art together. I miss our outings like crazy. I’m posting just a few of the images below that Sharyn texted me while she was at the galleries. I’ve provided links to let you see more of each show, and also get information on individual images, should you choose. I’ve looked in depth at all of them, so that I might feel a bit like I saw the shows too.

Sharyn saw the Toyin Ojih Odutola works on paper show at Jack Shainman Gallery. Here are the installation views from Tell Me A Story, I Don’t Care If It’s True. I love Ojih Odutola’s work. I saw her first solo museum exhibition at the Whitney back in 2018 with my daughter, who took me to see it. That show was life-size work in charcoal, pastel and pencil, which is so interesting to compare to this current works on paper show that Sharyn saw. I’ll post those images at a future time.

Sharyn saw the Cindy Sherman show at Metro Pictures. Here is the link for the viewing room. Sharyn and I met 26 years ago when we both moved to Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and our daughters became BFFs as one year olds (and to this day still are). It just so happens that Cindy was born in Glen Ridge, and lived there a very short while, long before Sharyn and I arrived.

I suggested Sharyn go to the Theaster Gates show at Gagosian, and of course she went. Black Vessel is Gates first solo show in NYC, which is on view until December 19, 2020. Here are some installation views which I had already scoured before Sharyn’s visit. It definitely made me feel better that at least she had seen it in person for both of us.

Sharyn also went to see Mark di Suvero at Paula Cooper Gallery (here are the installation views), as well as Amy Sillman at Gladstone Gallery (here are those installation views).

Thanks Sharyn! Your gallery visits made me very happy.