Greer Lankton

Over at his Between Bridges gallery in Berlin, Wolfgang Tillmans is unveiling the first European solo show of artist Greer Lankton. The self-described ‘chronic masturbator’ and ‘junkie’ is probably best known for her sculptural works, a menagerie of dolls which seem to provide both consolation and commentary on her own bumpy personal journey as a transexual.

Before her untimely death by overdose in 1996, Greer was a key figure in New York’s East Village art scene of the ’80s. With all the hype surrounding millennials like Juliana Huxtable (the New Museum’s Triennial left me, for the most part, totally underwhelmed tbh), it’s encouraging to see Lankton’s work find a new audience. She was using her mad skills as painter and seamstress to tap into themes of body and gender way before it was trendy to do so.

The poseable figures are exquisitely crafted and grotesque to look at, small enough to cradle in your arms or imposingly life-sized. They’re made from fabric stretched over wire frames, topped with human hairdos and fitted with bespoke outfits — all staring back at you with lifeless glass eyes.

‘Greer Lankton’ runs from Saturday, 11 April through 22 May 2015 at Between Bridges, which is open from Wednesday to Saturday 12 noon to 6 P.M. at Keithstrasse 15, 10787 in Berlin.