Lock and Key, 2019

Alex Hodge   New & remarkable Artists

Lock and Key, 2019 Carved porcelain plate One of a kind,

 Hodge's 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 striking ceramic plate features a captivating portrait of a stylized female figure. The artwork employs bold black lines to outline the figure's face and flowing hair, creating a stark contrast against the vibrant teal background. The face is expressive, adorned with prominent, abstract features that convey an enigmatic allure. The intricate pattern radiating from the center resembles rippling water, enhancing the dynamism and depth of the piece. This unique interplay of line and color demonstrates a keen artistic vision, fusing traditional ceramic techniques with modern artistic sensibilities. The textured rim of the plate adds a tactile element, inviting closer inspection. Overall, this piece is a testament to innovative craftsmanship, skillfully balancing simplicity with complexity to produce a visually compelling narrative.

 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.