Richard Slee at Hales Gallery

British ceramic artist Richard Slee’s ongoing installation of ceramic hammers and tools with wooden handles is a thought-provoking jumble of tongue-in-cheek contradictions, starting with the impossibility of using any of these tools for actual labor.  Like Pete Seeger’s famous intention to ‘hammer out love,’ the concept is more convincing than the reality, as suggested by this abandoned pile.  (On view at Hales Gallery in Chelsea through Feb 23rd).

Richard Slee, Hammers, 2010 – ongoing, glazed ceramic with wood hammer handles, wood stain, rubber, metal and found additions in 325 parts.