If the title ย“MY COOKIEย” doesnย’t induce some lip smacking, then Sharon Engelsteinย’s sculptures will. The artistย’s clay works look like clumsy, double-layered cakes with colored icings poured over them. Each looks good enough to eat, but actually, theyย’re cookie jars. If it werenย’t for the name of the show, one would be hard-pressed to realize that on first glance. The tops of the jars are larger than the bases and prove to be quite the challenge for anyone looking to sneak a treat out.

ย“When I started working with clay, I started asking questions about the role ofย…functional objects versus art objects,ย” says Engelstein. Her absurd take on everyday objects includes leaky vases, cumbersome cookie jars and large piggy banks that canย’t be opened.

Engelstein says sheย’s trying to push form past function. ย“You would never look at it and identify it as a cookie jar,ย” she says. ย“But weย’re sort of giving it away with the show and the title and the fake cookies.ย” The fake cookies, made by Cathyย’s Faux Desserts, spill out of a jar that has been left lid-free.

This jar and another have been been left white except for some crayon scribblings. ย“The markings are done by my two-year-old daughter,ย” she says. Letย’s hope she got some real cookies for her contribution. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Through February 22. M.K.G. Art Management, 2825 Colquitt Street. For information, call 713-526-4146 or visit www.mkgart.com. Free.

Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Starts: Dec. 3. Continues through Feb. 22, 2007

This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.