Sam Chatto
Biography
Sam Chatto is a ceramic artist with a practice deeply influenced by the cultural exchange between Britain and Japan. Fascinated by the work of Bernard Leech and Shōji Hamada, he explores the traditions of studio pottery and the significance of the tea vessel. Chatto views the cup as an intimate object that requires a perfect balance of weight, delicacy, and form—elements that inform his broader experimental approach to ceramics. His work involves intricate, semi-organic forms that push the boundaries of material conventions, crafted with a high level of precision and technical skill. He began his practice in 2018, studying at North Shore Pottery in Scotland before undertaking an apprenticeship with Yagi Akira in Kyoto, Japan (2023).
He has completed residencies with Make Hauser & Wirth, Scotland (2022) and Sokyo Gallery, Kyoto (2024). His recent exhibitions include Hot Water for Tea at Make Hauser & Wirth, Somerset (2024), Ceramic Brussels (2025), Crosscurrents London | Armenia at Redfern Gallery, London (2024), and Objects of Contemplation at Make Hauser & Wirth, Somerset (2024). His work is held in several private collections. Chatto continues to explore the boundaries of porcelain, currently living and working in West Sussex, UK.