Sarasota Review

Renowned ceramic artist Molly Hatch has unveiled her latest installation, "Amalgam," at the Sarasota Art Museum. This work is part of the museum's "Inside Out" exhibition program and will be on display until April 2026. The installation consists of over 480 hand-painted earthenware plates in white, blue, and gold luster, spanning two floors of the museum.

Hatch's creation is designed specifically for the Jan Schmidt Loggia and Mark & Irene Kauffman Arcade. The piece plays with space and perspective, allowing viewers to experience it from various vantage points both inside and outside the museum.

The motifs used in "Amalgam" draw inspiration from historical ceramics such as Chinese Ming-dynasty vessels, Moroccan Fassi ware, Dutch Delft vases, Mexican Talavera tiles, and Japanese-inspired English ceramics by Christopher Dresser. Through this blend of patterns, Hatch highlights global trade networks' influence on shared aesthetics across cultures.

Molly Hatch explained her motivation: “I think I have always sought to find a place for myself as a woman in the story of art, and my work has become a way of doing so.” She uses ceramics to challenge traditional views within art history—a field often dominated by men—and seeks to elevate craft materials historically categorized as "women’s work."

Virginia Shearer, Director of Sarasota Art Museum, expressed enthusiasm about the installation: “Amalgam builds on our tradition of inviting contemporary artists to make new work in dialogue with Sarasota Art Museum’s iconic architecture. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to marvel at this unique outdoor installation.”

Hatch's previous works include permanent installations like "Psychic Garden" at Atlanta's High Museum of Art and "Repertoire" at Newark Museum of Art. Her recent commissions include pieces for Tiffany & Co.'s Manhattan flagship store and locations in Dubai and Taipei.

This project was supported by Jane and Phillip Humann, Donna Pickup, Cowles Charitable Trust, Edward and Elizabeth Gardner Foundation Trust, Mark and Irene Kauffman, Roxanne Permesly, among others.