Star Vase

Lily Formato

Hand-Thrown Star Vase
Created in the artist’s Advanced Wheel Throwing course at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, this small-to-medium hand-thrown vase is formed from low-fire iron clay and finished with low-fire glazes chosen for their vivid chromatic effects. The firing process has yielded a striking surface, where rich, saturated colors accentuate the smooth curvature of the form.

The interior contains a unique, hidden element—a painted image of a sleeping star—visible only when viewed from above, offering an unexpected visual “moment” for the viewer or user. This interior detail contrasts with the bold exterior, creating a layered experience of both surface and narrative.

Fully glazed and sealed, the vase functions as a decorative vessel while also serving as a testament to the artist’s technical training and experimental approach to glaze and form. It embodies Formato’s broader practice of merging utility, craftsmanship, and conceptual detail within a single ceramic object.