An animal kingdom at db pottery

Collage with ten animal sculptures from the db ceramics competition: blue humpback whale, white pufferfish, octopus with spotted tentacles, green frog on a water lily leaf, grey shark, wild boar bowl, sheep's head, sitting polar bear, pink pig tin and a green monster figure with a fish head.

An animal kingdom at db pottery

In the animal kingdom, competition is everywhere. Survival of the fittest is a phrase for a reason — birds outsing each other, stags lock antlers, peacocks fan their tails into something ridiculous and beautiful. We thought it was time the pottery studio joined in.

So we put together a little friendly competition. Less about winning, really — more about doing something together. A chance to step out of the usual clay-making cadence and try something new.

The topic: Animals. That's all. No specifications regarding size, technique, or interpretation. Create something literal, abstract, anatomically questionable, or somewhere between a fox and a mermaid (Yes, really. Just look at the photo below.). Just do it.

Reclining clay sculpture of a mermaid with a fox's head, made of white, unfired clay. Large pointed ears, female torso, and a long fish tail with detailed scales.

A gym, but for clay

A quick side note, in case you've never visited us before. The db pottery studio in Zurich has a members' area that functions a bit like a gym. Members come and go as they please, build their pieces by hand at the large tables, throw on the wheel, immerse themselves in slip casting, and relax in the glazing corner. It's their space to explore, to push the boundaries of clay, and to create something just for themselves.

Most of what we create in the studio would be described as functional ceramics. Mugs that you actually enjoy drinking from. Vases that fit on a shelf. Cereal bowls for everyday use.

That's exactly why it was so nice to witness this little competition.

Away from the potter's wheel and into the wild!

Over the past few weeks, the studio has quietly and gradually filled with creatures: frogs, foxes, fish, things that defy easy categorization.

So many members interrupted their usual routines for a while. Those who usually threw cups picked up modeling tools. Those who made plates started working on intricate details. People who had never created a sculpture before suddenly had a realistic sheep's head drying on their shelf. The change was refreshing. You watch as a maker* stops trusting the wheel and instead trusts their own hands. And you see people discover a new side to ceramics—and a new appreciation for it. Stepping out of your comfort zone isn't easy, and as much as we'd like to say it all happened spontaneously—we gave it a little nudge.Over the past few weeks, the studio has quietly and gradually filled with creatures: frogs, foxes, fish, things that defy easy categorization.

So many members interrupted their usual routine for a while. Those who normally turned cups picked up modeling tools. Those who made plates started working on intricate details. People who had never created a sculpture before suddenly had a realistic sheep's head drying on their shelf.

The change was refreshing. You watch as a maker stops trusting the wheel and instead trusts their own hands. And you see people discovering a new side to ceramics—and a new appreciation for it. Stepping out of your comfort zone isn't easy, and as much as we'd like to say it all happened spontaneously—we gave it a little nudge.

A little insentive

We didn't want to overemphasize the "competitive" aspect, but a small cash prize works wonders for motivation. The prizes…

Place: 400 CHF
Place: 200 CHF
Place: 100 CHF

The objects were submitted without names so that nothing could be judged based on reputation or favorite students' preferences. The clay figures had to speak for themselves.

As a jury, we invited two people into the studio whose work we love and whose perspective we trust: Laurin Schaub and Stuart Carey, both guest mentors of the studio. They came by at the beginning of the month, reviewed the work, exchanged ideas and made their selection.

The judging took place on May 8th. The winners will be announced at the end of the month. Until then, the names will remain sealed—and yes, even we are keeping quiet.

Come and see

Meanwhile, the entire herd is on display in the studio. Both shop windows at Schiffbaustrasse 9a are filled with clay figures—playful, quirky, and charming. It's by far one of our favorite window displays so far.

Most of the pieces are also for sale. If something catches your eye, ask inside. The makers (anonymous to us until the day of the unveiling) have set their own prices, and the sales directly support them.

So: Come along and take your time. Or even better: Bring someone with you to the official exhibition.

ANIMAL COMPETITION EXHIBITION
📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026
📍 db pottery — Schiffbaustrasse 9a, 8005 Zurich
⏰ 18:30–20:30

We hope to see you in the studio. 💛