artist yuta segawa hand-throws thousands of tiny ceramic vases

london-based japense-born yuta segawa is a ceramic artist who plays with scale and color. for his latest project – miniature – he has meticulously executed thousands of tiny pots with jewel-like tones, positioning them in large groups or as individual pieces that sit in the palm of his hand.

images courtesy of yuta segawa

segawa, who is founder if SGW lab, learned advanced ceramic skills in japan and china and has since developed them into the technique of creating miniature pots. from his london-based studio, he works with various clays such as porcelain, terracotta and stoneware, while experimenting with texture and new ways of throwing.

all of segawa‘s pots are created with the same attention to detail as full-size pieces. each one is individually thrown by hand and hand-finished using more than 500 specially developed glazes spanning the entire colour spectrum.

segawa says his miniature series ‘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.’

in another project, titled action, segawa literally threw himself onto the wheel using his various body parts to form clay. to create skewed, irregular bowls, segawa employs a technique he refers to as ‘body throwing’, using his feet, chest, and even his mouth.

project info

artist: yuta segawa

title: miniature

studio: SGWlab