Dish c. 20th century

Ron Meyers made this dish at an unknown date, but I imagine the way he carefully painted the glaze onto the ceramic surface. See how the animal has emerged? The creature in the center of the dish is a strange beast, something between a pig and a ram. I wonder what Ron was thinking when he made it. It’s interesting that he made the form of a dish—suggesting that it’s something to be filled. Does the animal want to be fed, or is it the one doing the feeding? Are we supposed to eat it? The colors, muted blues, browns, and greens, speak to the earth. It’s like looking at a landscape, but also a dreamscape. When I look at this object, it's clear that Ron is in conversation with folk art, tapping into something very primal. Artists keep each other going across time; that’s the magic. This dish is a beautiful example of how a utilitarian object can be elevated into something profound, touching the very soul.