Thursday Salute to Originals: Pint-Sized Pottery
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent Van Gogh
Japanese ceramicist Yuta Segawa has crafted thousands of tiny jars, shrinking full-size detail into thumb-sized crafts. Together, the miniature vessels create a dotted spectrum of color.
Crafting the miniature figures is an example of what details a human touch can shape at a small scale. For Segawa, fingers and hands aren’t enough to shape the clay into the ideal shape. The sculptor will use his toes and even his tongue in a technique known as “body throwing” to form the perfect pot.
“Miniature pottery relates to the issue of the relationship between artists’ bodies and their works. It is a challenge to test the limits of what a human body can make on such a small scale,” the sculptor explains.
Each finished piece is captivating to look at and hold on its own, but when on display together, neat rows that transition between cool and warm color tones highlight dimensions of scale and themes of continuance — like threads to a tapestry or tiny dots to pointillism.
This Thursday, we’re saluting Yuta Segawa and his pint-sized pottery that tests the limits of exhaustive detailing. You can see the sculptors “body throwing” technique in action on the artist’s website and view more completed work on their Instagram. Tell us, how are you using scale in your current designs?
Sources: Yuta Segawa, This is Colossal