56 Henry and Venus Over Manhattan are pleased to present a collaborative, two-venue exhibition of new work by Al Freeman. On view simultaneously at 56 Henry St. and 39 Great Jones St., the exhibition marks the first solo presentation dedicated to the artist’s drawing practice. Featuring recent drawings of book covers and album covers, the exhibition is titled Covers: Drawings 2023–2024, referencing both the subjects depicted and Freeman's appropriative strategy of reinterpreting existing works. An opening reception will take place at 56 Henry on Saturday, April 6th, from 6–8pm. Covers: Drawings 2023–2024 is Al Freeman’s fourth solo exhibition with 56 HENRY and first solo presentation with Venus Over Manhattan.

The presentation at 56 Henry features a series of fifteen drawings that feature images of album covers and book covers. The drawings on view at 56 Henry have been selected by Mel Ottenberg, Editor in Chief of Interview Magazine, and Naomi Fry, staff writer at The New Yorker.

The presentation at Venus Over Manhattan features drawings of book covers and two soft sculptures—an extension cord and a tray of colored pencils. Reflecting a deflationary impulse in her practice, the pencils reference the materials used in her drawings, and the cord functions as an exaggerated line drawing in space.

Al Freeman (b. 1981, Toronto, Canada) lives and works in New York. She received her B.F.A. from Concordia University in 2005, and her M.F.A. from the Yale University School of Art in 2010. Her work has been the subject of numerous presentations, including solo exhibitions at One Trick Pony, Los Angeles; Grice Bench, Los Angeles; Carl Kostyál, Stockholm; Sorry We’re Closed, Brussels and Bortolami, New York. Freeman's work frequently features in group exhibitions both stateside and abroad, including recent presentations at Broadway Gallery, New York; International Waters, New York; Tif Sigfrids, Athens; Office Baroque, Antwerp; Analog Diary, Beacon; Embajada, San Juan; CUE Foundation, New York; Harper's, East Hampton; Chateau du Feÿ, Bourgogne; Marlborough Contemporary, New York; Reyes Projects, Detroit and Canada, New York. In 2023, Nieves published a zine featuring work from the artist's series of "Covers," curated by Dan Nadel. Freeman's work receives frequent coverage in major publications, including recent pieces in The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Burlington Contemporary.