Worm Tureen Prototype 1
Worm Tureen Prototype 1
terra cotta, wheatgrass, composting worms, soil
38"x27"
2025

Drawing from 18th-century decorative arts traditions, thisworm tureen represents the first prototype in my"VermiForms" series, where historical porcelain vessels are reimagined as functional vermicomposting systems.

Standing 3 feet tall, this terracotta prototype features fourstacking donut-shaped chambers with strategic air holes for worm movement and ventilation. The sculpture marries form and function: composting worms process kitchen scraps in the chambers while thriving wheatgrass crowns the piece,creating a striking contrast between the vibrant green growth and warm terracotta clay. Mobile on casters, this early version demonstrates my vision of merging baroque decorative elements with contemporary environmental practice. The piece will ultimately be developed in porcelain at the Jingdezhen residency, incorporating ornate handles and feet inspired by Cretaceous worm fossils.

image credit: ©Kes Efstathiou