Liverpool Jug c. 1936

This Liverpool Jug, by Helmut Hiatt, has such a charming monochrome palette, it's almost like a drawing on a three-dimensional form. The images are transferred onto the surface of the jug, like decals, each one is a miniature world. I’m drawn to the transfer print of the American hero, standing proudly in front of a naval battle, beneath a waving flag. The texture is smooth, but within the print, you can see the details of the etching, like cross-hatching to create shadow and depth. It’s not about hiding the process, it's about embracing it, making the mechanics of image-making a part of the artwork itself. The jug feels like a piece of folk art, reminiscent of the work of artists like Henry Darger. It exists somewhere between craft and fine art, inviting us to reconsider those boundaries and to appreciate the artistry in everyday objects.