UCM Gallery of Art & Design Announces Ceramics Exhibition, Related Public Programs

The UCM Gallery of Art and Design presents “The ReCollection,”
a solo show by Montana artist Jeremy Hatch.

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Gallery of Art and Design presents “The ReCollection,” a solo show by Montana artist Jeremy Hatch on display Oct. 6-27.

Hatch grew up in the 1980s, a time he calls the “Golden Era” of action figures, such as He-Man, G.I. Joe, Star Wars and many more. Hatch is curious about how this phenomenon affected his generation and has been exploring these consequences in his studio. He embarked on an expansive project to recast his entire childhood toy collection in porcelain. That project became “The ReCollection.” By remaking the hyper-masculine and often violent characters in a delicate, precious material such as porcelain, he wants to alter and complicate the viewer’s interpretation of the subject. 

The project has evolved to include remixing 18th-century decorative arts objects with action figures. He has become particularly interested in the historical European traditions of porcelain figurines, how they functioned in culture, and what they represented. The action-figure/figurine mashup contains several creative strategies and approaches common within contemporary visual art, including ideas of copying, appropriation, recombination, and recontextualization in order to arrive at something new. This series also investigates notions of memory and nostalgia, branding, collector culture, and consumerism. 

 

“This exhibition operates on multiple levels,” Gallery Director Jamie Platt said. “The work is seductive. Beautifully crafted porcelain objects lure one in. The subject matter is surprising. Once you realize what you’re looking at, you may be struck by nostalgia, curiosity or both. The collision of fine material and childhood imagery encourages closer examination of both.”

Hatch is a Canadian-born artist who works with porcelain to create sculpture and installations. He has exhibited widely at venues across the globe, including in Brazil, Canada, Korea, China and the United States, and has been awarded multiple international artist residencies. Hatch is also the founder of Ricochet Studio, a design lab that focuses on creating limited edition ceramic pieces in collaboration with artists from various disciplines. He lives in Bozeman, Montana, and is an associate professor in the School of Art at Montana State University. 

“The ReCollection” will be on view in the Gallery of Art and Design from Oct. 6-27, and several public programs will accompany it.

Gallery Grownups, a creative workshop for adults, will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the Gallery of Art and Design. The workshop includes a highlights tour of the exhibition and a creative activity. No experience is needed. The cost is $5, which covers materials, instructions and treats. 

Hatch will deliver the Kleppe Visiting Artist Lecture at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in Wood 100 on the UCM campus. Admission is free. Click here to register for the livestream on Zoom. 

Meet the artist at a reception for “The ReCollection” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.

The UCM Gallery of Art and Design is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Platt at gallery@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4498.