At Large  December 18, 2017  Chandra Noyes

Molly Hatch: Ceramics At Large

Courtesy Todd Merrill Studio

Molly Hatch, Caughley Sketch, USA, 2016. 17 plates hand thrown and hand painted porcelain with glaze, underglaze and engobe. 41h x 39 1/2w x 2d in.

In a recently premiered installation at the Newark Museum of Art, Molly Hatch is taking plates off of the table and onto the gallery wall. Blending craft, design and fine arts in her ceramic objects and installations, Hatch's unique take on a traditional and often under-sung art form is making waves. In her installations, Hatch hand paints a multitude of porcelain plates, which together recreate a pattern or motif often found on a single ceramic object. Taking her inspiration from historical examples, Hatch references the rich traditions of pottery, elevating ceramic plates in scale and giving them more veneration than they would perhaps receive in our homes.

Hatch recently created her largest installation to date for the Newark Museum of Art. A triptych of ceramic installations, each set of plates is based on a different textile in the museum's collection. The first takes its pattern from a twentieth-century textile from Cote d'Ivoire; the second, an eighteenth-century Chinese silk; and the third, a woven coverlet made in 1840's New Jersey. Titled Repertoire, the work showcases diverse traditions in both textiles and ceramics, while highlighting their representation in the museum's collection.

Courtesy Todd Merrill Studio.

Molly Hatch, Crescere, USA, 2016. 37 hand-painted earthenware plates with glaze, underglaze, and gold luster. 84h x 65w x 1 1/5d in.

In addition to her large-scale installations, Hatch creates a variety of items for the home ceramic enthusiast. She has published a number of books that center around ceramic and textile design. Most recently, A Passion for China, is “a personal celebration and exploration of the everyday beauty of tableware.” Small ceramic works by Molly Hatch are also available for purchase online.

Courtesy Todd Merrill Studio

Molly Hatch, Echo, USA, 2017. 50 cast porcelain tile bricks hand painted with underglaze, glaze and gold luster. 64h x 69w x 3d in.

Molly Hatch is represented by Todd Merrill Studio.

Read more about the artist on her website.

About the Author

Chandra Noyes

Chandra Noyes is the former Managing Editor for Art & Object.

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