The Spirit of the Dead is Watching, 2018

Alex Hodge   New & remarkable Artists

The Spirit of the Dead is Watching Porcelain and gold 2018 One of a kind This piece is part of the Historic Jar Collection and celebrates the tenacity and vulnerability of women and clay, an interplay of history and hope. 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 striking ceramic artwork features a masterful blend of sculptural form and detailed surface decoration. Atop the piece, a reclining figure, reminiscent of classical sculptures, exudes a serene yet contemplative aura. Their posture and expression invite introspection and add a layer of narrative richness. The vessel itself is adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant lines, showcasing a harmonious fusion of abstract and tribal-inspired motifs. These designs are accentuated by the phrase "Sleep As The Spirit Of The Dead Awakes," inscribed boldly around the circumference. This juxtaposition of life and death themes with dynamic visual elements creates a thought-provoking exploration of mortality and consciousness. A small bird perched nearby adds an element of playfulness and symbolically hints at themes of freedom and transcendence. Overall, this piece challenges the viewer to reflect on deeper existential themes while appreciating its aesthetic sophistication.

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.