Top five shows: June 21–27, 2012

Sharon Hayes, “There’s So Much I Want to Say to You” at Whitney Museum of American Art
On view are new and older works by Hayes, an artist whose performances, videos and photographs explore the various ramifications of public speech. Thu 21–Sept 9

Wang Guangle at The Pace Gallery
Inspired by a custom from his native Fujian province that involves coffins, this Chinese artist applies layers of pigment to the canvases here, culminating in a sculptural effect. Fri 22–Aug 17

Annette Messager at Marian Goodman Gallery
The French artist often suspends found objects from the ceiling to evoke feelings or states of mind. Tue 26–Aug 24

Caro Niederer at Hauser & Wirth
The Swiss multimedia artist devotes her first New York solo show entirely to paintings that re-create visual fragments, often inspired by postcards and snapshots, focusing on the emotion of the subject. Wed 27–July 27

“Painting in Space” at Luhring Augustine
This roundup of big-name talents, including Mark di Suvero, Martin Creed, Tony Oursler and Lawrence Weiner, is meant to benefit the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College. Fri 22–Aug 17