Q&A:
1. Please introduce yourself!
Hi. I’m Kayla Tange. A performer, visual artist, and cultural producer. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Lemoore, California. Most days I’m bouncing between projects, making new work, meeting collaborators, or experimenting in the studio.
2. Your clay story: when and how did you first get into pottery? Can you remember your first pottery experience? Do you have any first memories that stick out?
I first got into pottery while studying at UCLA during the pandemic. We were creating over Zoom, which was strange but also kind of grounding. My professor, Laub, was amazing — super knowledgeable and always encouraging us to explore. I’d worked with clay once as a kid, probably making a few uneven pinch pots, but UCLA is when I really fell in love with it.
3. What forms do you make most, and what’s your style or go-to techniques/materials?
I mostly work with slab and coil building, and I make patterns of my old costumes and objects to create ceramic heels, pasties, incense holders, and vases. I also really love the B-Mix with grog. I find it really fun to hand build with.
4. What appeals to you about clay and what lessons has it taught you?
What I love about clay is how alive it feels. Working with it has been a real learning experience in patience, flexibility, and letting go of control. Even when a piece doesn’t turn out how I planned, there’s always something valuable in what the process reveals.
5. How did you find Not Another Pottery Studio? Do you have any special moments, or favorite memories with other members / students?
My husband and I found Not Another Pottery Studio by chance. We used to visit when it was a plant shop and were thrilled to see it transformed into a pottery space. We signed up for a class with our friend Ella and immediately loved the vibe and community.
6. What advice would you give to someone starting out in pottery?
Don’t worry about being perfect. Clay is challenging, forgiving and honest. Just get your hands dirty, experiment, and let go of expectations. That’s where the magic usually happens.
7. If we want to see more of you, your work (ceramic or other), where would we go? (If people can buy your work or you take commissions, let us know!)
Here is my online shop. https://softsells.bigcartel.com
I take commissions depending on the project. Here is my website and Instagram:
IG @kayla.tange
Wall of Claysties photo from my solo show Soft Sell at Last Projects taken by Sara Pooley and installed and arranged by Mehregan Pezeshki. Most of these are B-mix or B-mix with grog which is my favorite clay to work with so far. The glazes are various combinations that I either purchased or are available at NAPS! 🙂The metal pieces are nichrome wire which was introduced to me by Lauren and I love working with it to add texture.
Clay Work Shoes II, III, and IV on stands made by Kevin Kane and Ceilidh Benoit. All the heels are hand built from slabs and made with B-mix or B-mix with grog. The glazes are black gloss, bright red underglaze, bougainvillea floating glaze by spectrum, silver luster and mother of pearl. Photo by Sara Pooley at Last Projects.
Some other work I’ve been doing with discarded costumes and fabrics titled Intergenerational Toxins and Intergenerational Rupture. Photo taken by Sara Pooley at Last Projects. Frames made by Ceilidh Benoit and Kevin Kane.
