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.

Alicia McCarthy at Jack Hanley Gallery

San Francisco Mission School artist Alicia McCarthy presents signature grids and more at Jack Hanley on the Lower East Side, including this pulsing lattice, marred (or made perfect?) by a blur of grey paint. (Through Oct 11th).

Alicia McCarthy, Untitled, gouache and spray and latex paint on wood panel, 96 x 96 inches, 2015.

Atsushi Kaga at Jack Hanley Gallery

Inspired by his own experiences and memories, New York-based Japanese artist Atsushi Kaga displays over 100 paintings and sculptures in his current show at Jack Hanley Gallery featuring his alter ego, an adventuresome bunny. The creature’s cute quips are engaging, as is his friendship with the bear, though a sad sense of isolation pervades. (On the Lower East Side through July 31st.)

Atsushi Kaga, Like this?, acrylic on board, 15 x 19 cm, 2014.

Sarah Braman in ‘Zabriskie Point’ at Jack Hanley Gallery

Man-made objects and nature come together in surprising ways in this sculpture by New York artist Sarah Braman, as a cube recalling modernist architecture perches atop a massive tree stump (nature sacrificed?). A table and houseplant complete this pretty assemblage which points to the domestic realm as a place where nature is potted for pleasure and convenience. (At Jack Hanley Gallery on the Lower East Side through Feb 8th).

Sarah Braman, Underthunk, welded steel, color gels, glass, tree stump, house plant, aluminum, 65 x 35 x 70in, 2014.

Elizabeth Jaeger at Jack Hanley Gallery

Anxious greyhounds greet visitors to Elizabeth Jaeger’s debut solo show at LES gallery Jack Hanley, setting an oddly expectant mood. Though the space is too large and bright to convey much angst, Jaeger’s weirdly proportioned animals are winningly lively. (Through Nov 9th).

Elizabeth Jaeger, installation view of ‘Six-Thirty’ at Jack Hanley Gallery, October 2014. (Includes ‘Yet to be Titled (Dog),’ ceramic, hydrocal, loose graphite, house paint/latex paint, leather, brass.)

Daniel Heidkamp in ‘Some Thoughts About Marks’ at Jack Hanley Gallery

This boy of summer doesn’t have a care in the world, despite having failed to take a swing at the ball whizzing in front of him. He’s as cheerful as a clothing model on a catalogue shoot yet his odd proportions make this painting by Daniel Heidkamp an engaging mix of familiar and strange. (At Jack Hanley Gallery through August 22nd).

Daniel Heidkamp, Town League Slugger, oil on linen, 36 x 30 inches, 2014.

Mathilde Ter Heijne at Jack Hanley Gallery

Photos of anonymous women, taken from the early days of photography to the 1920s, line the walls of Jack Hanley Gallery as part of Dutch artist Mathilde Ter Heijne’s testament to the gradually improving status of women.  On the back of each is a biography of a woman well-known in her time for advancing women’s causes.  Visitors can take one away for inspiration.  (On the Lower East Side through Feb 2nd).  

Mathilde Ter Heijne, installation view of ‘Woman to Go,’ at Jack Hanley Gallery, January 2014.

Ajay Kurian in ‘Weird Science’ at Jack Hanley Gallery

Ajay Kurian explores the chemicals we consume using materials that range from melted gummy bears to microwaved bars of soap.  The surprise in this attractive display is that these pretty ‘rocks’ contain traces of recycled nuclear waste. (At Jack Hanley Gallery on the Lower East Side through May 5th).

Ajay Kurian, Spiegel-Leben 2, plexiglass, epoxy clay, Gobstoppers, recycled nuclear waste, 2013.