Leslie Wayne at Jack Shainman Gallery

Leslie Wayne’s paintings give pleasure through deception; her signature technique is to use paint as a sculptural medium, fooling the eye with dried paint crafted in three dimensions.  Wayne’s latest solo show at Jack Shainman Gallery presents paintings that appear to be objects in her studio or windows that do or do not offer a view.  On closer inspection, each is carefully crafted to resemble a well-used tool, now worse for wear.  Constructed over the past year, each artwork speaks to brokenness close to home.  (On view in Chelsea through July 2nd.)

Leslie Wayne, Broken, Busted, Fractured, Fragmented, Shattered, Smashed, Kaput, oil, enamel, and acrylic on wood, aluminum and cotton cloth, 44 x 48 x 9 inches, 2020.

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.