16 May 2012 Last updated at 12:37

In pictures: Little clay men invade Manchester

Thousands of tiny clay figures have appeared all over the city of Manchester as part of arts festival FutureEverything.

The 8,000 ceramic figures which make up the work, Human Resources, depict a stereotypical businessman and are the work of artist Lawrence Epps. He made them as a reaction to "the rise of corporate culture and office working being the way most of us spend our days".

Little clay men in Exchange Square in Manchester

"I was trying to come up with something that would mirror people's daily working lives and routines, so these reflect people's journeys to work," the artist said.

The figures have been placed around the city to be enjoyed and taken away by its residents. Within hours of them being placed on the streets, pictures of them appeared on social networking sites. The artist said the response had been "overwhelming", adding: "I'm really delighted."

The artist said creating the figures had been "a lot of work", but added: "It's the responses that make it all worthwhile."2"

To make the figures he used "industrial processes" which he said allowed him "to make relatively high numbers by myself while also retaining a handmade element to them".

He said the process meant that "some definitely don't make it and you have some good days and bad days. Ceramics is quite a tricky process at times and a fair few get lost along the way."

Mr Epps said the figures gave people "the chance to engage with art and culture but not in a traditional way" and he hoped that people would take them away - if they were lucky enough to find one.

Little clay men in Manchester Piccadilly

The figures are dotted all over Manchester, "some in very obvious places, which I think will be taken within 24 hours, and some really tucked away in isolated groups", the artist said.

Little clay men and artist Lawrence Epps

"If people want to go out searching and exploring the city a bit, they might find them in unexpected places - I imagine some might even hang around for weeks before they are found," he added.

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In pictures: Little clay men invade Manchester

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