Ron Nagle, 'Permanent Member,' 2011. Ceramic, 6.75 x 5.5 x 3.5 inches. (Courtesy the artist and Wallspace)

Seeing this wild little sculpture in Wallspace's new show, "The Mystery Trend," last night, I automatically assumed that it was the work of some ambitious young sculptor, the latest in a burgeoning wave of superb and precocious ceramicists to arrive in recent years. But I was wrong. It's by Ron Nagle, a California artist born in 1939 who's been at it for years. This one is from 2011 and titled Permanent Member—a psychedelic and finely tuned jewel. Stare at it for a while. As you do, you may find that it begins to look more and more dreamy. And then you may realize that you feel that way too.

Every Friday, Don’t Miss It! looks at a single artwork on view in New York.