Surreal ceramic by Johnson Tsang shows a face being pushed and pulled apart by body-less hands. Surreal ceramic by Johnson Tsang shows the top of a face splashing out like liquid.

An "ugly face" jug that was a hallmark of the celebrated Southern folk artist Lanier Meaders was recently uncovered at a Goodwill store in the Midwest.

Katie-Rose Fischer-Price is a potter and runs K2Clay Pottery. She makes functional pottery with expressive cartoon faces.

Modern technology has made antique pottery lose its earthy beauty, said Zunun, who is torn over whether to continue using the traditional way of production or adapt to modern times.