SMOGE SPACE was founded by Zhiyuan Zhu in 2013 and joined by visual director Lin Cai in 2019. The studio operates under a unique philosophy known as the “SMOGE Format”—a method of creation rooted in emotional restraint, low sentimentality, and meditative calm.

Their work emerges from the tension between mystical inspiration and precise rationality, seeking to redefine the role of aesthetics in contemporary life. Each piece begins on the wheel, then is hand-carved into layered terrains reminiscent of mountain ridges or cosmic shadows. Matte black glaze—restrained yet potent—seals the form, which is then high-fired at 1280°C into enduring stoneware.

SMOGE’s vision is sculptural, yet deeply philosophical: their vessels are not just functional objects, but material extensions of thought—where clay becomes both container and landscape.

In the cosmology of the Five Elements, black corresponds to Water: introspection, stillness, and wisdom. This elemental resonance flows silently through SMOGE’s minimalist aesthetic, grounding their practice in something deeper than style—a reverence for the unseen energy behind form.

If wind and water erode the land to form valleys and peaks, then SMOGE can be seen as the erosion of matter by thought.

SOTACA on SMOGE
We see in SMOGE’s work a rare emotional control—expressed in the muted black glaze, the absence of ornament, and the carved terrains that resist theatricality. This clarity of intent and quiet command of form defines the spirit of SOTACA.

SOTACA Pairing Note
Ideal for minimalist interiors and contemplative spaces. Pair with dark woods, rough linen, and indirect lighting to accentuate its stillness and quiet force.