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JENKINS JOHNSON GALLERYLORI NIX & LISA KOKIN, PHOTOS & SCULPTURES;

Set 3-12; AK; #691815

NEW YORK CITY — Jenkins Johnson Gallery announces two solo exhibitions on view through April 21: photographer Lori Nix features her latest work in “Shadows of the City,” and Lisa Kokin’s fresh found-object sculptures, “Fruit of the Broom,” is in the project room of Jenkins Johnson Gallery.

The photography Nix executes are hyper-color scenes where catastrophes unfold. Her images are morbidly fascinating and her twisted sense of humor highlights the comedic that can be found in the tragic. In her new series, “Shadows of the City,” Nix constructs interior decay of buildings whose fate has been solemnly met. Barren, urban landscapes unveil foretastes of what may come if humans continue to exploit nature and fight her organic needs.

In this series as well as her previous ones, “Accidentally Kansas,” “Insecta Magnifica,” “Some Other Place” and “Lost,” Nix emotes the clash between catastrophe and beauty to depict their codependence. The confidence in her work is contagious, inquisitive and ultimately caring and optimistic.

She has received many awards and honors. Nix’s work is held in the permanent collections the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; and the El Paso (Texas) Museum of Art.

On a trip to Amsterdam, Kokin decided to take an early morning walk. This particular morning was recycling day — to the found-object artist is this is providence. Along the way, Kokin noticed a man scurrying in and out of his home, amassing a pile of recyclable goods large enough for neighbors to complain about. Tons of pulp books and covers that had been bound and cut by a power tool were being discarded.

In fact, it was a perfect point of delving and imagination for Kokin to jump from. She gathered a pile of the amputated books and let her sculptures come to life organically from their shapes, words, languages and a curious numbering system the previous owner tattooed upon them.

Kokin playfully pieces together limbs and segments of texts, randomly juxtaposing words from their original structure and creating new stories. Moreover, she aims to let the viewer draw their own conclusions, rather than postulating in an expositional manner. Her wit is further manifested by her ability to rein and harness a spectrum of media with dexterity. She is an intuitive artist whose curiosities expand exponentially.

Kokin has received many honors and awards. Her work has been published in The New York Times, Artweek, Contra Costa Times, Fiberarts, Surface Design Journal, and The Daily Gleaner, among others.

Jenkins Johnson Gallery is at 521 West 26th Street, fifth floor. For information, www.jenkinsjohnsongallery.com or 212-629-0707