Ceramic work · 2024
Frog Rattle
Frog Rattle is a fired-clay work by Slava Romanenko. The hollow figure contains small pieces of clay that move inside and create a rattling sound when the frog is gently shaken.
| Artist | Slava Romanenko |
| Year | 2024 |
| Materials | Fired clay, acrylic paint |
| Dimensions | 11.5 × 9 × 9.5 cm height × width × depth |
Idea and Character
About the Work
The class assignment was to make a rattle. Instead of creating an abstract object, Slava chose to turn it into a frog wearing a striped scarf. The rounded body gives the animal its compact silhouette while also forming the hollow chamber inside.
Its large eyes, open mouth, front feet and bright scarf give the frog a friendly, playful personality. The acrylic painting brings out these features and makes the character of the figure easier to read from different angles.
A Personal Favorite
What Slava Likes Most
Slava especially likes the frog’s amusing facial expression. To him, its large eyes and open mouth make it look as though it is smiling in surprise.
Volume and Silhouette
Views
Photographs from several sides show the rounded body, the position of the feet, the shape of the head and the scarf wrapping around the figure.
Painted Features and Expression
Details
Close-up photographs show the frog’s eyes and open mouth, its striped scarf, front feet and the visible marks of hand-building and painting.
Movement and Sound
Video Overview
In the video, Frog Rattle turns slowly so that its three-dimensional form, scarf, facial expression and painted details can be seen from different angles.
The video also demonstrates the sound made by the small pieces of clay moving inside the hollow figure.
Learning, Construction and Colour
Process
The work combines a class assignment, Slava’s own choice of character and a hand-painted finish completed at home after firing.
01
Class Context
Where the Work Was Made
The work was made during ceramics and pottery classes at the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth, under the guidance of Yuliia Kopylova.
02
Idea and Construction
Turning a Frog into a Rattle
The assignment was to make a rattle, and Slava chose a frog as its form. Small pieces of clay were placed inside the hollow body so that they roll and create a sound when the figure moves.
03
Colour and Completion
Painting with Acrylics
After the clay had been fired, Slava painted the work at home with acrylics. The green body, orange mouth and yellow striped scarf strengthen the frog’s playful character.