Clayful, published by Street Smith Books, is an adventure into the world of miniature ceramics – a juxtaposition of form and function where artists play with clay to create tiny artworks that fit in the palm of your hand.
The first book by Naarm/Melbourne curator and writer Sophia Cai, Clayful is a pocket-sized deep dive exploration started after discovering tiny ceramics on a trip to Seoul in 2019. The result of her research features thirty-two artists from all over the world, each who bring playfulness and a lot of “cute” to the medium of ceramics.
Sophia Cai, Clayful: The big world of tiny ceramics, Street Smith Books, published August 2024
How did your research into tiny ceramics unfold?
The premise of the book centred on profiling ceramic artists from around the world who make small works in clay, each individually measuring smaller than 8cm. The parameters set by this size allowed me to refine my focus and direction.
Working on Clayful offered me a chance to undertake intense research into contemporary ceramics practice, reconnecting with artists whose practices I had long admired, as well as discovering new-to-me artists from around the world. The joy of working with contemporary artists, for me, has always been the opportunity to enter into direct dialogue and conversation with artists.
Can you tell me about some of the highlights of the book? Or any surprises?
One of the biggest surprises working on this book was realising just how many artists work in this miniature scale and why they choose to do so. There was such a breadth of creative expression, and different material approaches that no two works in the book are alike.
I think another aspect of this book that surprised me was how many artists began working with this medium after pandemic lockdowns as both an affordable and accessible way to keep making work. It reminded me of the resilience of artists and the way we turn to creativity and artmaking during challenging times.
Whose work do you have on your shelves, and why are they special to you?
Working on a book like this as a tiny art lover and collector is quite dangerous for my wallet because I find myself wanting to acquire more special pieces for my home collection. One of my most treasured pieces I have at home are moon jars made by the Korean artist Sung Hyeoun Cho (sosoyo), whose work is included in the book. What I love about moon jars are their rich cultural history and timeless appearance, and the way that artists continue to adapt the form for contemporary audiences.
Did you find any interesting connections between the artists?
There are many reasons why artists may choose to work at a miniature scale. This includes practical reasons (related to space, cost, or access) or because the scale allows for more playful experimentation and risk-taking without the pressure.
It’s impossible to talk about this book, which itself measures only 13 × 10cm (a miniature book of miniature ceramics), without acknowledging the cuteness factor. There is something universally endearing that comes from making art that can fit into your hand and being able to take this with you or display it anywhere.
Sophia Cai, Clayful: The big world of tiny ceramics, Street Smith Books, published August 2024
Emma-Kate Wilson is an art and design writer and editor based on Gumbaynggirr Country (Bellingen, New South Wales).
