These weird, audacious paintings were made in the eighties, during and after Doig’s student days at St. Martin’s School of Art, in London. The Scottish-born artist was raised in Canada, and during his summer breaks he returned to Toronto, stopping in New York along the way. These loosely autobiographical works depict Manhattan as if seen from above and brim with allusions to pop culture, classical statuary, Ab Ex splatters, Benday dots, graffiti, and Matisse’s red rooms. There are hints of Doig’s eventual focus on mysterious landscapes with figures, but what’s most clear here is that Doig has always painted as if he had nothing to lose. Through Jan 4. (Werner, 4 E. 77th St. 212-988-1623).
