Nara's First NYC Solo in a Decade: Two Free Chelsea Openings 11/05
On November 5, David Zwirner opens Yoshitomo Nara's first major New York solo in nearly a decade across two Chelsea buildings, and Gladstone opens Robert H. Colescott's Cairo. Both receptions run 6 to 8 PM. See the bronze heads at 533 West 19th, the paintings at 537 West 20th, then walk eight minutes to Gladstone and finish with dinner at Cookshop.
📍 From 19th Street up to 24th
🎨 Zwirner at 19th, then 20th
Doors open at 6:00 PM and both Zwirner buildings stay open until 8:00. Start at 533 West 19th, where thirteen monumental bronze heads from 2024 stand coated in white urethane, recalling the snow-covered forests of Mount Hakkoda near Nara's hometown. One block north, 537 West 20th holds the paintings and drawings: new canvases in a muted, low-saturation palette, large monochrome drawings made with oil paint sticks, and earlier works going back to 1988. Nearly a hundred pieces in all, so give each building half an hour. This is Nara's first solo with the gallery and his first major New York show in nearly a decade. Thirteen minutes on foot from the A, C and E at 23rd Street.
🚶 North to Gladstone on 24th
Gladstone gives Robert H. Colescott his first solo show with the gallery since it began representing his estate in 2025. Cairo runs November 5 to December 19 at 515 West 24th, with a 6:00 to 8:00 PM reception on opening night. The paintings trace the years around Colescott's time in Cairo, Egypt. Leave Zwirner by 7:10 so this one gets twenty minutes before the 8:00 close; the gallery also keeps Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM hours if you would rather come back. Eight minutes on foot from 533 West 19th.
🍽️ Dinner on 10th Avenue
Cookshop sits at 156 10th Avenue on the corner of West 20th Street, six minutes on foot from Gladstone. Dinner runs Tuesday to Saturday, 4:30 to 11:00 PM, and Sunday and Monday stop at 10:00 PM, so an 8:15 table still works after both receptions. Book ahead on Resy or call 212 924 4440, since a Thursday right after two Chelsea openings is not the night for walking in cold. Weekday lunch runs noon to 3:30 PM, and weekend brunch opens at 10:00 AM. The A, C and E at 23rd Street are ten minutes east.
