9. “History Reclaimed: Suchitra Mattai and Adrienne Elise Tarver” at Hollis Taggart
Suchitra Mattai and Adrienne Elise Tarver both make undeniably beautiful work that is unafraid to address a challenging history of colonialism and racial oppression. Mattai has created a new site-specific large-scale installation for the exhibition using hundreds of vintage saris. Tarver is showcasing two paintings series, one of portraits of black women, both archetypal and historical, and of tropical foliage that spills off the canvas, disrupting the white cube of the gallery. (It’s something of a moment for Tarver, who also has a solo show, “Escape,” at Victori + Mo , also in Chelsea, through March 14, and work in the new, hands-on “Inside Art” exhibition at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.)
Location: Hollis Taggart, 514 West 25th Street
Price: Free
Time: Opening reception, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.; Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
—Sarah Cascone