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Sheree Hovsepian’s Poetic Assemblages at Rachel Uffner Gallery

10.25.22 | By
Sheree Hovsepian’s Poetic Assemblages at Rachel Uffner Gallery

The captivating work of artist Sheree Hovsepian poetically plays between the curves of the body and a sense of geometry, often blurring the lines between object and image. Her current must-see exhibition Leaning In is on view at Rachel Uffner Gallery in New York, featuring three series of works that abstract, crop, and echo the human in compositions that are both strange and familiar.

Installation image of "Leaning In" at back of Rachel Uffner gallery

Sheree Hovsepian “Leaning In” at Rachel Uffner Gallery, New York

Head-on photo of "Author" by Sheree Hovsepain

Author, 2022

Sheree’s most well-known works are the complex assemblages throughout the exhibition. Held in rich walnut frames, each work is composed of her gelatin silver photographs, hand-made ceramic shapes, wood, and a network of white string tied to nails that seem to float over black velvet.

Angle view of "Mime" by Sheree Hovsepain

Mime, 2022

Detail of "Mime" by Sheree Hovsepain with ceramic and string

Mime, 2022 (detail)

These works encourage your eyes to dance between the illusion of depth and the physicality of material, containing multiple visual echoes that give each piece a certain rhythm – between the curve of a shoulder-blade or the bend of a flower, reflected in the geometric shape of the ceramic. For me, each work recalls a modern and beautifully fragmented version of Michelangelo’s 500-year-old drawing Vitruvian Man, presenting something both intimately human and mysteriously mathematical.

Head-on view of "Author" by Sheree Hovsepain

Author, 2022

Detail of "Author" by Sheree Hovsepain with hand

Author, 2022 (detail)

The gelatin silver photographs are windows into unexpected moments of the body while the thick ceramic shapes or wood lend a feeling of mass and flesh color. The thin white strings encourage the eye to connect and skip across the surface like a song on repeat.

Angle view of "Maquette" by Sheree Hovsepain

Maquette, 2022

Detail of "Maquette" by Sheree Hovsepain with image of back and leaf

Maquette, 2022 (detail)

Head-on view of "Impressionist" by Sheree Hovsepain

Impressionist, 2022

Angle detail of "Impressionist" by Sheree Hovsepain

Impressionist, 2022 (detail)

Two additional series of work add a greater depth and rhythm to the exhibition as a whole.

Installation image of "Leaning In" with single work

Sheree Hovsepian “Leaning In” at Rachel Uffner Gallery, New York

The large works on paper are from the artist’s Muscle Memory series and are exhibited here for the first time. Each contains a network of black drips created with ink normally used for printing photographs. Though there is no explicit image of the body, the artist’s performance of movement to create these works can be imagined by the viewer. Meanwhile, several ceramic sculptures act as an anchor in the middle of the room. These organic forms from the artist’s Figure Studies/Leaning In series offer new silhouettes from every angle, encouraging movement in your own body and a complementary comparison of form and material to the assemblages on the surrounding walls.

Installation image of "Leaning In" with viewer

Sheree Hovsepian “Leaning In” at Rachel Uffner Gallery, New York

Sheree Hovsepian was born in Iran in 1974 and currently lives & works in New York City. Her work is currently included in 59th Venice Biennale. Leaning In is on view at Rachel Uffner Gallery through November 5th.

What: Sheree Hovsepian Leaning In
Where: Rachel Uffner Gallery, 170 Suffolk St, New York, NY
When: September 16 – November 5, 2022

All images courtesy Rachel Uffner Gallery New York.

David Behringer visits over 200 galleries every month to uncover and share the most exciting contemporary art in New York today. Subscribe to his exclusive weekly newsletter at www.thetwopercent.com and learn about his private gallery tours. And be sure to check out his YouTube.