Luciano Polverigiani’s Ceramic Toys Explore Material, Function, and Movement

Two ceramic figures, each riding their own oblong-shaped animal

All images © Luciano Polverigiani, shared with permission

From his workshop in Villa Elisa, Argentina, Luciano Polverigiani (previously) creates small and medium format ceramics that teeter between traditional sculpture and toys. Currently fascinated by the relationship between form and function, the artist often reflects on how his materials are inextricably linked to each piece’s use. “We generally associate ceramic material with fragility; ceramic objects break if they fall on the ground or are handled roughly,” he tells Colossal. “I am interested in reflecting on the ‘use’ that we will give to ceramics. In this sense, I begin to work with the idea of a ceramic toy.”

The artist brings the contradictory idea of the ceramic toy to life through a curious menagerie of creatures, each radiating with personality. And while many toys feature some kind of moveable aspect or configurable parts, Polverigiani embraces the incongruity between clay’s rigidity and the inherent action of play. By incorporating wheels and creating small figures that are meant to fit inside others, the artist pushes the boundaries between ceramic sculpture and movement.

In the past few years, Polverigiani has cultivated relationships with other ceramicists during his travels, and he is currently working on organizing a collective exhibition. You can follow him on Instagram for updates, and find more work on Behance.

A whimsical figure sits atop an oblong-shaped animal.

A ceramic character sits with two legs extended in front, and has 4 wheels attached.

Two small orange characters being removed from a large ceramic figure.

A ceramic character sits with two legs extended in front, and has 4 wheels attached. There are two holes in its head for configuring different, small characters into these spots. The two small orange characters stand next to the main figure.

A creature laying down with 4 wheels attached to look like some sort of vehicle.

A creature laying down with 4 wheels attached to look like some sort of vehicle. Two small figures stand in front of it

Two large ceramic heads sit on a wooden surface, next to two smaller figures that have only two legs. Each of the small figures wears a hat.

Two large ceramic heads sit next to each other on a wooden surface. A small figure with only two legs stands to the left, wearing a small hat. The large head on the right wears a small hat as well.

A creature sitting down with 4 wheels attached to look like some sort of vehicle.

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