Robert Raphael in ‘Ceramics’ at LMAK Gallery

Robert Raphael’s cool-colored constructions of ropes are actually created in ceramic, rendering a traditionally functional material functionless. (At LMAK Gallery through July 30th.)

Robert Raphael, Untitled (Rope Study), ceramic glaze, 20 x 16 x 14 inches, unique, 2015.
Robert Raphael, Untitled (Rope Study), ceramic glaze, 20 x 16 x 14 inches, unique, 2015.

Kirk Magnus at James Cohan Gallery

East Asian tradition meets folk tale characters in the late Kirk Magnus’s ceramic demon, now part of the artist’s mini-30 year retrospective at James Cohan Gallery. Magnus’ deep knowledge of the world’s ceramic arts and his sense of humor are evident in a variety of vessels crafted with different techniques and featuring an assortment of oddball characters. (On the Lower East Side through June 26th).

Kirk Magnus, Green Guardian, earthenware and colored slips and glazes, 16 ½ x 13 x 13 ½ inches, 2008.
Kirk Magnus, Green Guardian, earthenware and colored slips and glazes, 16 ½ x 13 x 13 ½ inches, 2008.

Peter Linde Busk at Derek Eller Gallery

Whether she is Venus, Sister Ray (a Velvet Underground character), or Penthesilea, the Amazonian Queen, Danish artist Peter Linde Busk’s recurring female character has a jittery, incomplete quality owing to her construction from cast-off and fragmentary materials. Here, Smalti, natural stones, ceramics and more compose a faceless, imperfect creature. (At Derek Eller Gallery on the Lower East Side through June 19th).

Peter Linde Busk, Sister Ray, Smalti, natural stones, fired and glazed ceramics, lithographic stones, glass, plaster, grout, artist oak frame, 94.5 x 59 x 2.75 inches, 2016.
Peter Linde Busk, Sister Ray, Smalti, natural stones, fired and glazed ceramics, lithographic stones, glass, plaster, grout, artist oak frame, 94.5 x 59 x 2.75 inches, 2016.

Marie Lorenz in ‘Future Nature’ at Jack Hanley Gallery

Water bottles, wiffle balls and even a laundry basket are the among the discarded items artist Marie Lorenz has fished out of New York’s waterways during her boat-journeys-as-art. Here, she has turned them into a ceramic mobile. (At Jack Hanley Gallery on the Lower East Side through May 22nd).

Marie Lorenz, Vessels, ceramic, steel, nylon thread, 157 x 62 x 62 inches, 2015.
Marie Lorenz, Vessels, ceramic, steel, nylon thread, 157 x 62 x 62 inches, 2015.

Katy Fischer at Louis B. James

Arranged in vitrines or along this long shelf, Katy Fischer’s ceramic objects look like archaeological finds. They’re a humorous take on the notion that ceramics must have use-value and yet provocative in prompting consideration of what those uses might be. (At Lower East Side gallery Louis B. James through May 1st).

Katy Fischer, Shards 6, glazed porcelain and high fire ceramics on wooden shelf, 4 x 44,” 2016.
Katy Fischer, Shards 6, glazed porcelain and high fire ceramics on wooden shelf, 4 x 44,” 2016.