Sasha (Oleksandra) Chapliy
- Country
- Ukraine
I am a ceramic artist from Ukraine, working at the intersection of ceramics, sound, and light. I create musical ceramic instruments, as well as light sculptures and decorative objects.
What excites me most is how clay can hold both physical form and emotional experience. I am interested in the transformation of materials — how something fragile can become expressive.
I am especially drawn to creating objects that carry a certain image or feeling, allowing viewers to form their own associations and meanings. When forms and lines resonate with someone, it becomes a quiet, almost subconscious dialogue.
I work with ceramics, focusing on both sculptural and functional objects. My practice includes creating musical ceramic instruments, such as ocarinas, as well as light sculptures and decorative forms.
I started working with ceramics in 2002, when I entered an art college. With a background in music, I was naturally drawn to exploring sound through clay, which led me to creating ceramic instruments. Over time, my practice expanded to include light and sensory objects.
My favourite techniques are hand-building and carving, as they allow me to create organic forms and expressive surfaces.
Artworks
Inner Bloom
2017
Ceramic (white clay), glazes, LED light, electrical cable40 × 35 × 14 cm
This light sculpture explores themes of protection and inner warmth. The form, built from layered elements, suggests a protective structure, while the carved openings allow light to emerge in soft, radiant beams.The surface creates a rhythmic pattern that filters the light and transforms it into a calm, atmospheric presence. The interplay between shadow and illumination evokes a sense of quiet shelter and subtle energy, reminiscent of sunlight gently passing through a protective form.
"Breakthrough", 2025Serie of ceramic ocarinas "Waves", ceramic, glazes15x18x10cm"Breakthrough" is a handcrafted clay ocarina from the "Waves" series. Its sculptural form features two finger holes that produce three deep, resonant tones. These calming frequencies are designed to help the player focus on the present moment and reach a mindful, grounded state.Combining textured glazes with a minimalist musical scale, this piece is both a tactile art object and a simple tool for conscious breathing and "here and now" meditation.
Emerging Bloom2018Ceramic (white clay), LED light, electrical cable39 × 36 × 13 cm"Emerging Bloom" is a ceramic light sculpture that captures the vital energy of growth. Rather than a literal flower, this piece represents the upward movement of life unfolding from its source.The intricate openwork allows light to radiate through the form, creating a soft, expansive glow on the wall. It serves as a metaphorical bloom — a moment of transformation where light and clay meet to symbolize life in constant motion.
Seashell OcarinasCeramics, glazes2022These ceramic ocarinas from the "Seashell" series are a perfect blend of organic art and music. Each piece is a functional 4-hole instrument, handcrafted to capture the serene aesthetics of the ocean.With their turquoise glaze and earthy textures, they offer a clear, meditative sound reminiscent of a sea breeze.