The illustrative ceramics of Lauren Hanson are born of an early grounding in drawing, painting and art history. While the artist’s approach is considerably different than Beatrice Wood, Hanson finds that they have many similarities, as she too came to ceramics relatively late in life, and has a passion for nature, art books, the human condition, vegetarianism and of course, chocolate. In Hanson’s work, these interests are etched and painted on traditional ceramic forms, reflecting and celebrating the natural world, with scenes featuring birds, plants and trees wrapped around vessel forms.
The artist’s works often feature subtle commentary, which manifests in various ways. A vessel in the style of an early American salt-fired jug features the extinct Passenger Pigeon; a bird that thrived during the era that style of pottery was in use. Forms and designs with references to historical Persian art feature Islamic women expressing their femininity, simultaneously wearing gold purses or red high heels while adhering to religious dress codes.
Throughout Hanson’s work, the relationship between humans, nature and culture are explored through form, line, pattern and color, making clear the expressive potential of the ceramic medium.
