Hayley Tompkins in ‘Walks and displacements’ at Andrew Kreps Gallery

Hayley Tompkins’ picture pails are loosely reminiscent of looking down at one’s distorted reflection in a pool of water; they’re like a quieter, low tech version of Tony Oursler’s talking heads projected on objects; folded into plastic bags and put in pails, they could be refuse waiting to be taken out. Whatever motivated them, they’re made to be moved – a body-less companion waiting to go for a walk. (At Andrew Kreps Gallery through Dec 19th.) 

 Hayley Tompkins, Picture Pail IV, V and VI, metal pail, plastic bag, gouache and magazine page, 13 x 13 ¾ x 12 ¼ inches, 2015.

Published by

Merrily Kerr

Merrily Kerr is an art critic and writer based in New York. For more than 20 years, Merrily has published in international art magazines including Time Out New York, Art on Paper, Flash Art, Art Asia Pacific, Art Review, and Tema Celeste in addition to writing catalogue essays and guest lecturing. Merrily teaches art appreciation at Marymount Manhattan College and has taught for Cooper Union Continuing Education. For more than a decade Merrily has crafted personalized tours of cultural discovery in New York's galleries and museums for individuals and groups, including corporate tours, collectors, artists, advertising agencies, and student groups from Texas Woman's University, Parsons School of Design, Chicago's Moody Institute, Cooper Union Continuing Education, Hunter College Continuing Education and other institutions. Merrily's tours have been featured in The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Sydney Morning Herald and Philadelphia Magazine. Merrily is licensed by New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs as a tour guide and is a member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA USA)