James Siena's New Paintings and Sculptures at Pace and P.P.O.W. Highlight Artistic Evolution

James Siena's recent paintings mark a significant departure, with new works on view at P.P.O.W. through June 25. These include big loopy abstractions in fat confident brushstrokes and weirdo figuration, which appear as legitimate outgrowths of his earlier miniaturist style. Simultaneously, Pace Gallery is presenting new sculptures based on little-seen work Siena has been making since the 1980s, marking his third solo exhibition at the gallery. Another exhibition at BravinLee Programs features hand-knotted rugs by artists including Nina Bovasso, Peter Halley, James Siena, and James Welling. The experience across these shows suggests consolidation rather than transition, with Dibenedetto, Siena, and Ross defining an architectural endoskeleton within the biomorph's body. A video interview with a Bronx Science junior was planned, but circumstances interfered. Other artists mentioned in the context include Chuck Close, Paul Simon, Elena Sisto, Rackstraw Downes, and Takenaga, with the latter on view at DC Moore.