The Makers: Vol. 03 - Daegeon Song of Project Snail

Aug 3
3 min read

The Makers: Vol. 03

Daegeon Song — Project Snail

Today we speak with Daegeon Song - ceramic artist at Project Snail Sydney - and the maker behind Capybara's handcrafted ceramic vessels. Trained in traditional Korean pottery, Daegeon's practice is grounded in rhythm, repetition and a deep understanding of clay. From monumental vessels to the smallest handcrafted details, his work reminds us that the objects surrounding our rituals are often the ones that shape them most.

Some of the most memorable parts of a bathhouse are often the quietest.

Before the water is warmed, before the incense is lit, before a guest settles into the baths, there are the handmade ceramic vessels that quietly anchor the space. Throughout Capybara Bathing, these sculptural forms hold seasonal branches, release delicate trails of incense, and soften the architecture with their earthy presence. They aren't simply decorative objects - they become part of the ritual itself.

"Ceramics are more than objects. They are part of the ritual."

Originally trained in South Korea under Master Byoung Ro Lee, Daegeon studied Buncheong and traditional Korean pottery techniques - a ceramic tradition that values simplicity, rhythm and a close relationship between maker and material. Rather than pursuing flawless perfection, these techniques celebrate the subtle traces left by the hands that shape each piece. Every curve and slight variation becomes evidence of the process itself.

Creating large hand-thrown ceramic vessels requires remarkable control. Some of the vessels throughout Capybara Bathing begin with 10 to 30 kilograms of clay, demanding patience, strength and endurance. Every lift, every pull and every adjustment places strain on the body while maintaining the balance needed to stop the vessel collapsing beneath its own weight.

For Daegeon, the physicality of ceramics is simply part of the practice.

"Making big things needs a lot of clay — at least 10kg to 30kg. It makes me physically challenged. I become so sore that I go for a two-hour massage every fortnight."

Each vessel is slowly formed, left to dry naturally, trimmed by hand, fired, glazed and fired once more. Every stage depends on the one before it. Nothing can be rushed.

Yet despite the precision, ceramics remains wonderfully unpredictable.

"Making pottery is mathematic. Following the process, calculating the materials and measuring the time exactly. However, it does not show the same result twice."

Every measurement can be exact. The clay is weighed. Moisture monitored. Drying timed. Kiln temperatures carefully controlled. And still, there is always something beyond the maker's control. Clay shifts. Glazes react. Fire transforms. There is always a part that we cannot control. It may become better, equal or worse. We will never understand this mystery. The only thing we can do is leave it as it is, wisely states Daenong.

Like the bathing ritual itself, ceramics becomes an exercise in letting go. Preparing carefully, moving intentionally, and accepting that some of the most beautiful outcomes cannot be forced.

Following his ceramic training, Daegeon also worked in carpentry and joinery, an experience that continues to influence his approach to making today.

"Making vessels, making furniture — it's all connected."

Whether shaping timber or clay, the philosophy remains the same: understand the material, respect its limitations, and allow it to guide the final form.

That sensitivity is evident throughout the handmade ceramics at Capybara Bathing. The rounded ceramic vessels feel almost architectural, grounding the bathhouse while carrying scent, foliage and moments of stillness through the space. Alongside them sit the small clay capybaras, playful companions that have quietly become part of the bathing ritual.

No two pieces are identical.

The subtle shifts in form, the marks left by the wheel and the natural variations within the clay aren't imperfections to be hidden. They are reminders that every vessel carries the memory of its making.

In a world increasingly shaped by automation, Project Snail's handmade ceramic vessels invite us to slow down and notice the details. The warmth of clay. The weight of an object in the hand. The quiet confidence of something made with care.

Like the bathing ritual itself, their beauty isn't found in perfection.

It's found in repetition, patience, and the quiet relationship between maker, material and space.

The next time you visit Capybara Bathing, take a moment to notice the handmade ceramic vessels that quietly shape the space. They are more than objects—they're part of the ritual, carrying the patience, craftsmanship and care of the maker into every bathing experience.

Book your bath and experience the ritual for yourself.