Artists who incorporate found objects or recycled materials into porcelain sculptures employ innovative techniques to merge fragility with ruggedness, creating striking mixed media pieces. The process begins with careful selection—artists scour thrift stores, junkyards, or natural environments for objects with interesting textures, histories, or symbolic potential. These items are then cleaned, sometimes altered, and integrated into the ceramic process at strategic stages.

Some artists embed metal scraps or glass fragments directly into wet clay before firing, allowing the materials to fuse during the kiln process. Others attach found objects post-firing using specialized adhesives or mechanical fasteners. A growing trend involves using crushed porcelain from discarded items as aggregate in new clay bodies, creating a sustainable cycle of material reuse.

The juxtaposition of pristine porcelain with weathered found objects often creates powerful visual narratives about consumerism, memory, or environmental concerns. Artists like Clare Twomey and Neil Brownsword have pioneered methods of combining industrial ceramic waste with traditional techniques, while younger creators are experimenting with 3D-printed porcelain elements fused with electronic waste.

Successful integration requires understanding how different materials expand and contract during firing cycles. Many artists conduct extensive material tests to prevent cracking or separation. The finished works challenge traditional notions of ceramic art while promoting sustainability through creative reuse of discarded materials.