Clayful - by Sophia Cai (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A tiny book that showcases some of the world's tiniest ceramics.

Often no taller than one inch, miniature ceramics are much smaller than the hands that craft them. Perfectly formed, these minuscule pottery pieces can only hold a small sprig of tiny flowers at most, but they contain all the talent of larger works.

Clayful showcases 32 international ceramicists whose miniature vessels invite you to lean in and marvel. With precise craftsmanship, these artists transform clay into joyful interpretations of classic forms and techniques, shrunk down to fit in the palm of your hand.

About the Author

Sophia Cai is a curator and writer based in Naarm (Melbourne) Australia. She is the current Artistic Director of Bus Projects, one of Australia's longest running artist-run organizations, while maintaining an independent curating and writing practice. From 2020 to 2023, she taught as a lecturer at the Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne and Monash Art Design & Architecture, Monash University.

Sophia's research interests include Asian art histories, the intersections between contemporary art and craft, and feminist curatorial methodologies and community-building as forms of political resistance. She completed her Master of History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. As an independent curator Sophia has worked on several exhibitions at artist-run spaces, public galleries, and independent organizations across Australia and online.

Sophia's writing on art and culture has been widely published in international and national publications including The Guardian, Artforum, Liminal, Runway Journal, Un Extended, Peril Magazine, Journal for Australian Ceramics, Art Almanac, Artist Profile, Art Guide Australia, and Art Collector Magazine. She has delivered public programs, lectures, and talks at National Gallery of Victoria, the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, ACCA, Craft Victoria, Monash Gallery of Art, RMIT, and more.