Teapot - "Wadsworth Tower" c. 1936

This teapot, made by Helmut Hiatt sometime in the 20th century, is an object of pure charm. The artist applies layered decoration and this gives the teapot a wonderful depth, a sort of optical shimmer. Look closely, and you can see a landscape depicted on the body of the pot. There’s a quaint, almost dreamlike quality to the way the scene wraps around the form, merging with the more abstract decorative elements. The details are rendered with a delicate touch, creating a sense of texture that invites you to reach out and feel the surface. There is a boat sailing on the water which mirrors the shape of the spout. There is a kinship with the work of the American artist, Mary Heilmann. Like Hiatt, Heilmann’s work uses colour and form to create a sense of joy and playfulness. Both artists remind us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that even the simplest objects can be transformed into something beautiful and meaningful.