Jake Allee

Ceramist Jake Allee describes his work in the kind of smarter-than-thou language many artists utilize. Take this bit from his self--written bio: “I employ the ideas of the Gestaltist to arrange and rearrange the vocabulary of formal elements I have developed over the years.” For those who haven’t read the same books as Allee, it basically means, “My work is more than the sum of its parts.”

But don’t let Allee’s highbrow pontifications deter you; he makes some mean pottery. Forms can take on elements of threaded metal and button-tufted leather, resulting in highly stylized utilitarian objects masquerading as everything but clay. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. Regular viewing hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. 249 West 19th Street. Through January 27. For information, call 713-869-3099 or visit www.18handsgallery.com. Free.
Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: Jan. 5. Continues through Jan. 31, 2008