London-based German artist Nicole Wermers juxtaposes an ashtray with four tiers of sorted sea-shells in this provocative piece from Tanya Bonakdar Gallery’s current summer group show. Do the shells stand in for nature, dominated by human-produced toxins? Or should the cigarettes signal rebellious freedom that might not be at odds with a shell-strewn shoreline? Wermers leaves it up to us to sort through our associations in a piece that’s ripe for a variety of interpretation. (On view Tues – Fri by appointment through August 28th. Masks and social distancing required.)
