How a Sydney Artist Turns Coffee Cups Into Art

If you’ve ever thought your morning coffee cup could use a little more personality—or maybe just a tiny skate ramp—you’re not alone. Most of us treat coffee cups as purely functional. But for one Australian-based artist, that everyday vessel is a canvas for storytelling, humor, and surprising detail.

South African-born, Sydney-based artist Paul Garbett created the Cuppaday series: over 40 coffee cups transformed into miniature scenes using paint, clay, and found objects. Each cup becomes a standalone model—no two alike.

What Is the Cuppaday Series?

Cuppaday is an ongoing art project by Paul Garbett, where standard ceramic coffee cups are turned into intricate, themed miniature worlds. These aren’t just decorated cups—they’re fully realized dioramas. Each piece is built inside or on the cup using hand-painted details, sculpted elements, and clever staging.

The collection includes dozens of unique pieces, each taking a different creative direction. The cups are no longer just for drinking—they become tiny stages for art.

What Kinds of Scenes Does Garbett Create?

Garbett’s cups have been transformed into wildly imaginative settings. One becomes a miniature skate park. Another morphs into a totem pole. There’s even a greedy green monster popping out of a cup. In some, he adds personality—like a ghost made of kitchen towel with googly eyes, or a snowman wearing a measuring tape scarf and holding twigs for arms.

Other cups draw inspiration from famous artists. You’ll find tributes to Yayoi Kusama’s signature polka dots and Piet Mondrian’s geometric abstraction. The range spans humor, surrealism, and pop art references—all confined to the familiar shape of a coffee cup.

Who Is Paul Garbett and Who Works With Him?

Paul Garbett is a designer and artist currently based in Sydney, originally from South Africa. He is known for transforming everyday objects into thought-provoking art. Alongside artist Danielle De Andrade, he co-runs Garbett Design Studio, where he continues to produce both functional and conceptual design work.

Though the focus of Cuppaday is on ceramic cups, the broader studio work explores how ordinary items can take on extraordinary meaning through creativity and craftsmanship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cuppaday art series?

The Cuppaday series is an art project by Paul Garbett where standard coffee cups are turned into detailed, themed miniature dioramas. Each cup becomes a unique scene—ranging from a skate park to a monster cameo—crafted with paint, clay, and found objects.

Who is Paul Garbett?

Paul Garbett is a South African-born artist and designer now based in Sydney. He creates conceptual and functional art, including the Cuppaday series where coffee cups are transformed into narrative miniatures. He co-runs Garbett Design Studio with Danielle De Andrade.

What kinds of themes does Garbett use in Cuppaday?

Garbett uses a wide range of themes, including humor (like a ghost with googly eyes), pop culture (a measuring-tape scarf snowman), and fine art references (such as Yayoi Kusama’s polka dots and Mondrian’s geometric style).

Are the Cuppaday cups functional?

No, the cups in the Cuppaday series are primarily artistic creations. They are not designed for actual coffee drinking but serve as miniature dioramas and sculptures built inside or on standard ceramic coffee cup forms.

Where can I see the Cuppaday artworks?

The article does not specify current exhibition locations, but the images and descriptions represent the Cuppaday series created by Paul Garbett, which has been featured in media such as the Daily Mail. The original artworks are part of Garbett’s studio portfolio.

How many Cuppaday cups has Garbett made?

The article does not state an exact total number, but the series includes multiple unique cups—more than 40 are implied through the variety and examples shown—and Garbett continues to add to the collection as part of his ongoing creative practice.

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