As we step into the year 2025, the world of art is already buzzing with new and exciting exhibitions to explore. From the shimmering gold and sequins of artists like Machine Dazzle and Myrlande Constant to the meditative Japanese poetry, calligraphy, and painting at The Met, there is a diverse range of artistic experiences waiting to be discovered.
One of the standout exhibitions to kick off the year is Ayiti Toma II: Faith, Family, and Resistance at Luhring Augustine in Tribeca. This collaboration between galleries in Port-au-Prince and Miami Beach showcases the vibrant and rich art history of Haiti. From historical images by pioneers like Philomé and Sénèque Obin to contemporary works by artists like Myrlande Constant and Jean Hérard Celeur, the exhibition offers a captivating journey through Haitian culture and politics.
Over at Hauser & Wirth in Soho, Gary Simmons presents Thin Ice, a series of new paintings that blur the lines between caricatured blackness and idealized European forms. Simmons’ unique approach challenges viewers to confront the complexities of American popular culture and the impact of cultural appropriation.
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Mary Sully’s Native Modern exhibition shines a spotlight on the self-taught Yankton Dakota artist whose work blends abstraction with representation. Sully’s colorful and intricate drawings showcase her keen sense of color and design, bridging the gap between Modernist and Native art in a fresh and innovative way.
Machine Dazzle’s Obsession and Evidence exhibition at AP Space in Chelsea is a celebration of maximalist queer sensibility. The drag queen and performance artist’s found object assemblages, coated in shimmering gold paint, create a mesmerizing visual experience that invites viewers to explore texture and form in a whole new light.
Nicholas Galanin’s The Persistence of Land Claims in a Climate of Change at Peter Blum Gallery in the Lower East Side is a powerful exploration of Indigenous relationships to land and the appropriation of cultural symbols by colonial powers. Galanin’s thought-provoking works challenge viewers to reconsider their perceptions of Western institutions and the impact of cultural appropriation.
Romare Bearden’s Paris Blues/Jazz and Other Works at DC Moore Gallery in Chelsea is a vibrant celebration of the iconic artist’s jazz-infused images of Paris, New York, and New Orleans. Bearden’s paintings come to life with a rhythm and energy that invites viewers to not just see, but also listen to the music that inspired his work.
Sohrab Hura’s Mother exhibition at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City offers a multifaceted exploration of the artist’s world and experiences through video, painting, sculpture, and photography. Hura’s intimate and introspective works invite viewers to delve into the ebbs and flows of life and the emotions that shape our experiences.
Finally, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Three Perfections: Japanese Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting from the Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection showcases a millennium’s worth of works that merge these three art forms in Japanese aesthetic traditions. From painted screens depicting courtly poets to handscrolls portraying tales of resistance and resilience, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Japan.
As we embark on a new year of exploring art, these exhibitions offer a diverse and thought-provoking range of experiences that are not to be missed. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant colors of Haitian art, the provocative themes of sociopolitical critique, or the meditative beauty of Japanese poetry, there is something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by in the world of art in 2025.
