Culture Club: Get To Know Naomi Tang

Naomi Tang creates ceramic worlds where pop culture, memory and girlhood unfold in soft, playful detail. Drawing on music, nostalgia and personal symbolism, she weaves recurring motifs like horses, sacred hearts, ribbons and stars into immersive environments shaped by femininity and lived experience. Ahead of her first solo SALA exhibition at Nexus Arts, we talk inspiration, childhood obsessions and what audiences can expect from her upcoming exhibition.

For those meeting your work for the first time, how would you describe what you do?

I make maximalist, unapologetically pink ceramics that celebrate femininity through a hyper-feminine lens. My work combines ornate decorative traditions with contemporary references to pop culture, girlhood, and personal memory. If you’re drawn to bold colours, playful details, and work that embraces femininity rather than shying away from it, I think you’ll enjoy spending time with my pieces.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

A lot of my inspiration comes from personal experiences, pop culture, and music. I’m almost always listening to a playlist or watching a movie while I’m working in the studio, and those stories, lyrics, and emotions often find their way into the work. I enjoy making while reflecting on memories, relationships, and the things that have shaped me.

What was your ultimate girlhood obsession growing up?

Horses and Taylor Swift – and honestly, not much has changed! I probably played with My Little Pony more than Barbie dolls, and my childhood bed is still covered in toy horses and unicorns. Horses have become a recurring motif throughout my practice, and they’re even part of my maker’s mark. They’ve stayed with me from childhood into adulthood and have become a symbol of identity in my work.

What have you been listening to lately?

I’ve been listening to you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love by Olivia Rodrigo and Midnights by Taylor Swift on repeat. Both albums feel very connected to the themes I’m exploring in my new body of work. My favourite tracks lately are 'Expectations' and 'Labyrinth'.

Your Chinese zodiac sign, the horse, appears throughout your work. What is it about that symbol that resonates with you?

The horse is a very personal symbol for me. I was fascinated by horses long before I knew I was born in the Year of the Horse but learning that connection only made the obsession stronger. I grew up horse riding and, as a child, dreamed of becoming either a dressage rider or a jockey. For me, the horse represents freedom, movement, and adventure. It also brings me back to childhood, reminding me of the curiosity and imagination that continue to shape my practice today.

What can audiences expect from your new SALA exhibition at Nexus Arts?

Audiences can expect something that feels almost like stepping into an installation rather than simply viewing individual ceramic works. I love creating an atmosphere around each body of work, from carefully curated playlists to the way the exhibition is installed. I also enjoy dressing in theme for the opening, so visitors can expect an immersive experience where the ceramics, music, and space all work together.

What has it felt like preparing for your first solo exhibition?

Stressful, but also incredibly exciting. I’ve been preparing since February so I could hit the ground running as soon as my residency began, although the concept has been developing since September last year.

Seeing everything finally come together has been really rewarding. I’m excited to share what I’ve been working on and I hope audiences can connect with the work through their own experiences. If someone leaves feeling understood, comforted, or reminded of a part of their own girlhood, then I’ll feel like the exhibition has done what I hoped it would.

Stay up to date with Naomi @x.cosmic.pony.dcxi.