Christine Gray's Household Helpers

Christine Gray's "Doom- Doom": Toothpicks and other domestic miscellany. (Project 4 Gallery)

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By Jessica Dawson

Friday, April 25, 2008

· Whimsical and self-conscious in equal measure, Christine Gray's paintings depict models she makes from seemingly random domestic miscellany (thread, rabbits' feet, toothpicks). Like Ian Whitmore at his quirkiest, Gray's tableaux seduce us with a convincing illusion only to throw our eye back to the surface when a fat dollop of paint interrupts an otherwise placid surface. Gallery materials say Gray's work critiques the "dysfunction of the Martha Stewart institution," but don't go seeking polemics. Gray's having fun.

Christine Gray at Project 4, 903 U St. NW, Wednesday-Friday 2-6 p.m., Saturday noon-6 p.m., 202-232-4340, to May 24;http://www.project4gallery.com.