Earth Traces Gaiwan #1 - 120 ml
"For this series, i'm inspired by traces found in nature – tree bark, river banks, soil, sandy shorelines – patterns formed slowly over time by movement and erosion. i crafted the gaiwan from dark, volcanic-inspired stoneware clay and finished with a glossy glaze reminiscent of a misty forest ࿓ soft and hushed... trees dissolve into fog, moss darkens with moisture, and the air smells of earth and rain. the surface is carved by hand, line by line. it feels tactile and alive, grounding hand in its earthy tactility."
About Uliana -
"It all started back in 2020 when I was working in a field far removed from clay and searching for a hands-on hobby. After trying a few activities that didn’t quite resonate with me, I enrolled in a pottery course – and it was love at first touch. The sensation was magical. Trusting that feeling, I took another course, and then another, and eventually bought a potter’s wheel for home. I began potting alongside my main career. But when I moved to Berlin three years ago, I realized it was the right moment to follow my calling and make some major changes in my life. Soon after, I embarked on a new path as a ceramist and have been exploring it ever since.
Over time, I traveled to various places to delve into the roots and essence of the craft. I went to the Rif Mountains in Morocco to live with local potters and discover the feminine pottery tradition, singing around bonfires. In Cástaras, a small region in Spain, I learned about local geology and working with wild clay. I also spent time in the mountains of Portugal researching glazing chemistry, rock glazing, and the magic of wood firing in the Sasukenei-Smokeless Kiln.
I perceive working with clay as a way to reconnect with Mother Earth. My intention is to create ceramic objects that allow people to sense nature in their everyday rituals. To achieve this, I experiment with various surfaces and textures, seeking to capture the beauty of nature. I work using both the throwing wheel and hand-building techniques, seamlessly blending the two in my artistry."
This gaiwan is vitrified/glazed inside, so it can be used to brew all tea types.
- Artist: Uliana Tepikina
- Origin: Berlin, Germany
- Care: Hand wash, no soap.
- Volume: 120 ml (4 oz)
- Size: 10.8 cm x 10.8 cm x 7.6 cm (4.25" x 4.25" x 3")