Platter - "Georgia Arms" c. 1936

This platter, "Georgia Arms," was made by Helmut Hiatt, though we don't know exactly when. The decoration is so intricate, it's clear that artmaking is about embracing a process. The design is monochrome, making the texture and depth super important. The floral border is intense, like a garden is trying to contain a little neoclassical fantasy scene in the centre! I love how the artist has used the material itself – the glazed surface of the platter – to bring a sheen to the sea and the sky. It feels so alive. That little temple is so great. It's like the artist is trying to ask: What is Georgia? What is home? What does it mean to put it on a plate? This plate reminds me a little of the work of outsider artist James Castle, who worked with found materials and repetition to create his own world. Neither give us any answers, just great questions.