PILLOW SERIES Paw Gissel × Tōsei

Inspired by traditional African headrests, the Pillow Series explores the space between function and sculpture.

Through extensive travels across East Africa, photographer Paw Gissel developed a fascination with these everyday objects and their remarkable sculptural qualities. Rooted in local traditions, landscapes, and beliefs, headrests carry distinct forms that extend far beyond their practical purpose.

Conceived by Gissel and developed in collaboration with Tōsei, the series reimagines these forms in ceramic, introducing elongated proportions and abstract silhouettes. Moving beyond their original function, the objects exist somewhere between the functional, the symbolic, and the sculptural.