Chin Up, 2019

Alex Hodge   New & remarkable Artists

Chin Up Carved porcelain One of a kind Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values women, not only in body, but in wholeness, power, and love. Focusing on the narrative qualities of art-making, Hodge weaves stories into the clay which are both personal and universal. 

This artwork presents a striking ceramic plate featuring an expressionist depiction of a tilted head against a textured brick wall backdrop. The artist employs a monochromatic palette with subtle green accents, enhancing the depth and mood of the piece. The figure, with exaggerated features and an elongated neck, conveys a poignant expression that captures the viewer's attention. The expertly crafted brick wall adds dimension and contrast, guiding the eye inwards toward the central focus. This piece is not only a display of technical skill in ceramic artistry but also a profound commentary on the human condition, evoking introspection and emotion. The textured rim of the plate adds an additional layer of intrigue, framing the artwork with a tactile boundary. This compelling blend of form and emotion exemplifies the artist’s unique voice and vision.

Alex Hodge was always drawn to the arts and regularly channeled her creativity as a child whether in watercolor classes or scrapbooking with her mother. Hodge focuses on prioritizing women’s narratives in all aspects of her work. Through the decorative and symbolic details, she hints at narratives without completing them to invite the viewer to participate in creating meaning. The women she invents exist in the present but is of the imagined future in which we all have room to flourish, to tell our stories, to give and receive love, and to express the beauty and pain of the human condition. Fundamentally, her artworks are a celebration of the tenacity and vulnerability of women and clay, an interplay of history and hope.