Yuta Segawa was born in Shizuoka, Japan in 1988. Educated in Japan and England, he is renowned for his specialisation in miniature pottery, daily creating up to 35 micro vases, each uniquely textured and glazed, pushing the boundaries of ceramic art's physicality and scale. His work blends Eastern traditions with Western influences, drawing inspiration from British pottery and Scandinavian miniaturists.
Ceramicist Yuta Segawa was born in Shizuoka, Japan in 1988. He completed his BA in Industrial, Interior, and Craft Design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo in 2011, followed by an MA in Designer Maker at Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts (UAL) London, in 2015. His decision to study in the UK was motivated by the opportunity to immerse himself in the great tradition of British pottery and to be exposed to innovative presentations of ceramics by artists such as Barnaby Barford and Grayson Perry. During his time in England he encountered significant influences that shaped his approach , encouraging innovation and allowing Segawa to reflect deeply on his work from a broader perspective.
Renowned for his specialisation in miniature pottery, Segawa's creations are characterised by meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece is individually hand-thrown, demonstrating his profound skills in working with materials, such as porcelain, terracotta, stoneware, and even soil, to create textures that are unique to each piece. Segawa also experiments with an unconventional method he refers to as ‘body throwing’ (Colossal). This technique involves using his feet and tongue in place of his hands to shape pots, pushing the concept of physicality in art to new limits. His work challenges the limits of what can be achieved on a small scale, with some of his micro vases measuring just 3 cm in height. Despite their size, these pieces are thrown on his wheel, with Segawa producing up to 35 pieces a day. This prolific output is a testament to his dedication to pushing the boundaries of both the materials he works with and his creative potential. A hallmark of Segawa's artistry is his exploration of glazes. He has developed over five hundred original glazes, experimenting daily to create an incredible array of shapes and colours. This relentless experimentation accentuates the miniature scale of his work, with the glazes adding depth, vibrancy, and a unique identity to each pot. His displays often feature these miniature creations in long rows or scattered formations, highlighting subtle colour transitions and showcasing his extraordinary attention to detail, structure, and surface. Segawa's influences are as diverse as his techniques. While he draws heavily from Japanese and Chinese ceramic traditions—reflecting his roots and early ceramic education—he also finds inspiration in Scandinavian miniature work by artists such as Stig Lindberg and Berndt Friberg. This blend of Eastern tradition and Western innovation infuses Segawa's work with a unique aesthetic and philosophical depth. The challenge of creating on such a small scale is not just a test of technical skill but also an exploration of the relationship between the maker's physicality and the work itself.
Segawa’s recent solo exhibitions include the Sway Gallery, London (2018, whose mission statement is: 'Bringing Japanese Excellence to Europe') and The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh (2022). He also contributed to Ceramics in the City at the Geffrye Museum, London (2015); The Miniaturists at The Scottish Gallery (2017) and Ceramic Art London at Central Saint Martins (2016, 2019). In 2018, Segawa founded SGW Lab, a ceramic studio committed to celebrating the beauty and value of craftsmanship, inspired by the principles of William Morris, the Arts & Crafts artist. In July 2023, Sway Gallery held a pop-up show for SGW Lab. In the UK public domain, Yuta Segawa’s work is represented in the collection of the University of The Arts, London.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Yuta Segawa]
Publications related to [Yuta Segawa] in the Ben Uri Library