Ann Agee's Ceramic Hand Warmers at Frieze New York 2018

Ann Agee presented dozens of her ceramic Hand Warmers at P.P.O.W gallery's booth (E3) during Frieze New York 2018. These small, shoe-like forms, priced around $1,500 each, were displayed on a low white table in a colorful arrangement that evoked an upscale boutique. Each piece is unique despite some bearing the stenciled logo "AGEE MFG," which gives the appearance of multiples. Made from pigmented earthenware with enamel glaze, the objects reference various footwear fashions, ranging from literal penny loafers to geometric abstractions that function as sculpture. The installation's aesthetic aligned with Frieze's Riviera atmosphere, where visitors in summer attire browsed under the bright white tent. The works' intimate scale and meticulous craftsmanship highlight Agee's blend of functional reference and artistic abstraction.