Cardboard? Legos? No, this is made out of clay!! Masuda Toshiya has been making “digital” artwork ceramics for years, and we highlight some of his amazing creations that make you do a double-take.
We think Masuda Toshiya’s work speaks for itself, so let’s take a look at some of them.
今年も土をカクカクにしていこうと思っています。
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) January 14, 2023
なんならいつも以上にカクカクにするかもしれません。
知らんけど。#陶芸 #ceramics #2023年も作品を載せてつながりたい pic.twitter.com/7OHQTrS17f
It’s incredible to think that all of these are layers and layers of clay carefully measured, sculpted and painted to create the pixelated look.
有難いことにバズったカセットテープの作品は、11/26(土)より大阪のYODギャラリーで開催するグループ展に出品する作品です。
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) November 24, 2022
ラジカセとテープがセットになった作品です。
やっぱ僕ら世代はWカセットでしょ!
ってことで、今回ちゃんとテープ入ります。#陶芸 #ceramics pic.twitter.com/7h07I4Idd9
For example, not only is the cassette player made of clay, but each cassette tape is also made in the same style to fit perfectly into the player. And the details on the player itself! The buttons and dials that look like you could actually push and twist them, the little switches at the top and the speakers!
Here’s another example of Toshiya pouring details into every part of the work.
角だらけになる
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) June 22, 2022
#俺が作るとこうなる#陶芸 #ceramic pic.twitter.com/9ABjJ2fEfw
Not only is the camera pixelated, but so are the polaroids! And take a look at the tambourine and mics and other works in the tweet as well! It’s easy to tell that each are masterfully put together.
A Little About the Artist
Masuda Toshiya is an artist from Osaka who graduated from the Crafts Department of Osaka University of Arts. Since graduating from art school, he’s displayed his artwork in many solo and group exhibitions, including overseas.
When asked why he started to create this type of pixelated art in his “Low pixel CG” series, he talked about wanting to capture
“The “image gap” that I can make by producing CG’s digital images, which do not have texture or reality, with “ceramic art” which has an entirely opposite image [than digital art] with texture and reality.
— Masuda Toshiya, from his website
Basically, his art brings 2D images, which doesn’t have a 3D form in reality, into real life to become something you can hold and feel.
The Process
Get a small glimpse of Toshiya’s process of creating a work in this tweet.
土をカクカクにして、1マスずつ着色していく「イィ〜〜〜〜〜!!!!」ってなりそうな地味作業を地味に続けれるところでしょうか。
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) January 24, 2023
世の中にはもっと「イィ〜〜〜〜〜!!!!」ってなることしてる人多いですけども。#貴方が思うあなたの強みってどこですか#陶芸 #ceramics pic.twitter.com/wFMSl072Zs
It involves long hours of measuring, cutting, painting, “pixel” by “pixel”.
But the end result, as we can see, is incredible.
Let’s look at more of his work.
Writer's Pick
“Ripped” Book
本がカクカクになってちぎれる。#陶芸#ceramics #俺が作るとこうなる pic.twitter.com/s1ZNsW2VU1
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) January 22, 2023
It’s hard to “rip” a book like this in real life, but we’ve all seen it in anime and manga at one point right? This is a great recreation of what it’d look like, but pixelated!
Lighters with Flames
大阪のYODギャラリーで12/10まで開催中の展覧会「“Reframing “」に小作品を2点追加しました。
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) December 5, 2022
緑と紫の二色どうぞよろしくお願いします。#陶芸 #ceramics pic.twitter.com/EV30144Rv1
Choose your favorite color! Just beware of the flame!
Broken Bottle
これがこうなって・・・
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) July 17, 2022
こう!#陶芸#ceramics #ついつい2度見したくなる作品展 pic.twitter.com/4h622Fo8aK
First of all, it’s already incredible to create a bottle in this way, but the added effect of it being broken and liquid spilling out…amazing.
Blue Converse
新作出来た〜
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) October 31, 2022
可愛い色〜#陶芸#ceramic#スニーカー#オールスター#ローカット pic.twitter.com/iPsgwn5OxB
If you browse Toshiya’s Twitter account, you’ll see Converse in various colors pop up again and again. We’re a fan of these blue ones, especially the detailing on the soles.
Flower with 800+ pieces
依頼されてからかなり時間をいただく形になりましたが無事完成した作品の紹介。
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) October 5, 2022
Low pixel CG「枯れない花」
2022年
ceramic
11×11×18(cm)#陶芸 #ceramics pic.twitter.com/6ste1aL6fi
Something a little different than the works above, here’s a work called “枯れない花” or “a flower that doesn’t wither”. But if you look carefully, it’s a vase made of around 800 individually created and painted tiny ceramic flowers. The dedication is just astounding.
Food:
歯欠けるくらい硬いやきもの(陶芸)で出来てる食べ物の思い出たち。
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) August 12, 2022
カクカクした低解像度のCGみたいな作品作ってます。#陶芸#ceramics #夏休みはフォロワーさんが増える pic.twitter.com/w5QBO9oPvO
And to close with a personal favorite, here’s a collection of pixelated food that he’s created! The takoyaki in the first picture in particular is really fun to look at!
To Close
陶芸にしたらカラフルな方だとは思うんですが。#陶芸#ceramics #カラフルな作品を見せてほしいです pic.twitter.com/OdFNnLQ8f3
— 増田敏也 (@toshiyamasuda) September 9, 2022
Make sure to follow Masuda Toshiya on Twitter to keep up with his newest creations!
And check out his website where you can see more of his work, find out where his works are currently displayed, as well as see some more videos about his work and process.
Photos provided courtesy of Masuda Toshiya (Official Website, Twitter)