Marking an uplifting and affirmative turn in the series, Eat What’s on Your Plate #4 (2025) by Alex Hodge underscores the vital importance of honoring diverse human experiences. Hand-built using the slab method into an 8x8-inch circular form, this ceramic wall plate artwork overlays an elegant cobalt blue floral pattern with bold red typography proclaiming "Diversity is Our Greatest Strength". The piece asserts that human difference can serve as our greatest teacher when given the room to flourish. Harmonizing underglaze painting, precise hand-carving, and transfer techniques reminiscent of Barbara Kruger’s textual art, Hodge subverts the heritage of decorative pottery—traditionally tied to elitism and consumerism—into an inspiring, thought-provoking declaration of inclusivity and unity.
(Diversity is Our Greatest Strength) Taking a positive turn, the fourth plate highlights the importance of valuing each human experience. Difference can become a great teacher if we allow room for it to flourish.
The Eat What's on Your Plate series is comprised of wall plates that draw on the history of blue and white pottery as symbols of wealth, elitism and consumerism. The plates beckon the viewer with brash red text reminiscent of Barbara Kruger’s work. The title phrase is a play on words in several capacities, directing the audience to deal with what is at hand, while simultaneously admonishing the act of taking from others. They are all hand built using the slab method, and utilize underglaze painting, carving and transfers.
Discover and purchase this original ceramic wall plate artwork on our online store today to bring a bold, culturally meaningful message of pluralism to your contemporary collection.
Ceramic Wall Plate Artwork - Eat What’s on Your Plate #4, 2025. By Alex Hodge
Eat What’s on Your Plate #4, 2025
From Blurb series
Hand-carved ceramic plate
Dimensions: 8 x 8 in.
Hodge studied and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Ceramics, with notable exhibitions such as Unsung Muses and Eyes That Bind, graduating summa cum laude and receiving honors such as the Outstanding Undergraduate Award. Here, clay became the conduit that allowed her to speak of her experience and, more importantly, her frustrations. Always curious to acquire more knowledge and skills, she pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Miami. There she obtained the summer scholarship and the William Oberman Award, and graduated summa cum laude. During this time, she moved from expressions of anger to prioritizing love between women, the deep well of internal feminine landscapes and the historical exploration of women in relation to the present through ceramic material. Since then, her works have been exhibited at the Morean Arts Center, Arts Benicia and the Imurj Gallery, among others. She currently resides in rural Georgia, where she transforms her stories into sculptures that reveal what has been historically hidden.
