Two women sitting together in a cozy room, smiling at the camera. One woman has long dark hair and is wearing a black top, while the other has short light hair, and is dressed in a green and black patterned tank top and white pants. Behind them is a fireplace mantel with decorative items and a framed mirror on the wall.

throwing pots (and doors) open

Entry Date
26 June 2026

Team
Artist: Gaea Nayo
Curation: San Stae
Photography: Marcin Sz
Exhibition Partner: Warwickshire Open Studios

This June, we were thrilled to throw open the doors of my home for this year's edition of Warwickshire Open Studios, hosting the second of our artist spotlights - a creative, immersive weekend with wonderful British-Filipina ceramicist and friend, Gaea Nayo.

For a few fleeting days, the entire ground floor was transformed into a micro-exhibition of Gaea’s latest work, complete with live, open-window demonstrations that allowed passersby and visitors to glimpse the hypnotic rhythm of her throwing and sculpting process.

We also gathered around the table for intimate workshops dedicated to Kurinuki - the traditional Japanese technique of sculpting ceramic tea bowls by carving them from a single, solid block of clay. This deeply sculptural, reductive approach yielded personal, tactile pieces that celebrate raw texture, patience and form.

A heartfelt thank you to Gaea, and to Marcin for the photos. And to everyone who stepped inside, bought a piece, or joined a workshop - your presence and energy are what keep the contemporary arts and makers scene in the Midlands feeling vibrant and alive. Thank you!

A table with a decorative, textured clay bowl and a white ceramic vase holding yellow sunflowers, placed near a window.
Three ceramic bowls with circular patterns on a wooden table, with a wooden bench and a potted plant in the background, along with a white brick wall.
A young man with curly hair, tattoos on his arms, and wearing a black t-shirt, holding a ceramic vase with protruding spikes. Next to him stands a woman with long dark hair, wearing a sleeveless black top, smiling at the camera. They are indoors, with artwork featuring abstract black and white shapes on the wall behind them.
A wooden surface with three green ceramic mugs shaped like elephants, positioned in front of a mirror with an ornate gold frame, and a white paper lantern hanging from the ceiling reflected in the mirror.
A spherical object with a textured surface featuring dark gray and greenish-blue colors, sitting against a plain light background.
Woman with brown hair in a bun, wearing a black sleeveless top and jewelry, sitting at a wooden table and carving wood with carving tools.
Three textured brown bags hanging from hooks on a wooden rod against a light-colored wall, with two ceramic fish and a whale decor piece above.
A woman with long dark hair and a checkered blouse stands inside a kitchen, smiling, viewed through a large window.
A dining room with a large wooden table and various chairs, some painted blue, some wooden with cushions. The table has small rocks or clay sculptures on it and in the background there is a wooden cabinet with glass doors. A framed colorful abstract painting of fruits and flowers hangs on the wall, and a dried plant is hanging on the wall. A hanging light fixture made of wicker or similar material illuminates the room.
Decorative vases and bowls on a white cabinet with a beige wall background, and a bouquet of yellow sunflowers in the foreground.
People shaping and working with clay on a wooden table, creating bowls or pottery. Tools and clay pieces are visible on the table.
A woman holding a young boy smiling through a window, with a view of brick buildings and a blue door outside.
Two small cylindrical objects made of charcoal with white ash on the surface, resting on white paper or cloth with some scattered ashes around.
A brown ceramic bowl with small pointed feet, sitting on a white surface near a window with white curtains, in natural daylight.
Close-up of hands working on a clay project, with clay pieces and tools on a wooden table, and a large, textured clay vessel in the center.
Two ceramic cups with geometric patterns, set on a wooden shelf with a dark brown background.
A decorative ceramic vase with a black and turquoise glaze, containing three sunflower stems with green leaves, placed on a wooden pedestal against a neutral wall.
Three dark-colored ceramic or glass bowls placed on a white windowsill with sunlight casting shadows, against a neutral background.
A collection of fine dental or craft tools with metal handles and ergonomic grips, resting on a wooden surface near a wooden box with dividers.
A young girl smiling while holding a small black sculpture in her hands, sitting in front of a table with clay sculptures, near a window with sunlight shining in.