Ryota Akiyama / Wall Hanging Crack and Shrink Small A

Diameter (w) 130mm × Height (h) 370mm

A work from Ryota Akiyama’s “Crack and Shrink” series.

With its intricately cracked surface and organic yet distinctly artificial form, the work possesses a unique texture and presence that reflect Akiyama’s approach to materials and craftsmanship, challenging conventional boundaries.

The work is made from polystyrene (Styrofoam), a material that shrinks when exposed to heat. Various types of paint are applied to the surface, each reacting differently to heat, causing shrinkage and cracking that create unpredictable textures and forms.

By applying the techniques and concepts of traditional firing processes to materials other than clay, Akiyama explores the boundaries between craft and product design.

The resulting form brings together the natural phenomena of material transformation and the artist’s deliberate intervention, creating a distinctive balance between organic processes and artificial expression.

Material: Polystyrene (Styrofoam), paint

Please note: This work is extremely delicate and fragile. Due to the nature of the materials and production process, the surface may exhibit areas of paint loss, chipping, or other irregularities.

These characteristics are inherent to the work and should be understood as part of its unique expression.