By: Dan Chen
Los Angeles, CA – From July 11-13, 2025, the NOMAD IV exhibition took place at Del Amo Crossing in the heart of the South Bay region of Los Angeles, at 21535 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA. Among the more than 175 Southern California artists presenting their work, independent artist Liang Zhang exhibited her ceramic and textile sculpture “Urban Lullaby,” marking her third consecutive year participating in exhibitions organized by the same team.
Photo courtesy of the artist: Liang Zhang, Urban Lullaby, 2025.
NOMAD IV is a non-commercial exhibition that showcases the diverse and dynamic talents of Southern California artists, featuring sculpture, painting, installation, and more. The event functions as a large-scale artistic gathering, offering participants an opportunity to share their recent works with peers and the broader public, fostering connections and potential collaborations. It is not simply a showcase of work, but a cultural meeting ground where creativity, innovation, and community merge.
Liang Zhang’s participation in NOMAD IV follows a consistent record of recognition and influence in the Los Angeles art scene. In 2023, her work was presented by Proxy Gallery at the TRYST Alternative Art Fair, and in 2024, as a co-founder of the artist collective ArtdropLA, she exhibited her work at TRYST for the second time, further demonstrating her leadership, creativity, and sustained impact in contemporary ceramics. Her return in 2025 as an independent artist highlights her ongoing commitment to artistic exploration and her growing reputation for artistic excellence.
“Urban Lullaby”, the featured sculpture at NOMAD IV, exemplifies Zhang’s signature approach: combining refined ceramic techniques with evocative conceptual depth. The piece engages viewers with its poetic exploration of urban rhythms and human experience, highlighting her ability to merge craftsmanship with narrative sophistication. In this work, the tactile nature of clay takes on a meditative quality, reflecting the resilience and fragility of life within urban spaces. Critics and attendees have noted the work for its technical precision, originality, and its capacity to provoke reflection, reinforcing Zhang’s standing as an influential contemporary artist.
Zhang’s excellence is evident not only in her technical mastery of ceramics but also in her conceptual innovation, which continues to push the boundaries of material and form. Her ability to transform humble clay into installations of profound meaning places her in a distinct category among contemporary artists. Each work goes beyond mere aesthetics, provoking conversations about the structures that shape human experience, and the ways individuals navigate systems of order, constraint, and possibility. This combination of craftsmanship and intellectual inquiry distinguishes Zhang’s practice as both innovative and significant.
Her influence also extends into community and collaborative practice. As a co-founder of ArtdropLA, Zhang has played an important role in shaping the Los Angeles experimental art scene by curating site-specific works and creating platforms for artists to engage with one another and with broader audiences. She has continuously fostered environments for dialogue, experimentation, and exchange, illustrating her leadership within the art community. By bridging disciplines and facilitating opportunities for collaboration, she has established herself not only as an accomplished artist but also as a cultural catalyst.
Moreover, Zhang’s artistic vision resonates internationally. Her works have been exhibited across the United States, Europe, and Asia, gaining recognition from curators and institutions that recognize her as an important voice in contemporary ceramics. Her ability to translate themes of resilience, adaptability, and transformation into sculptural language allows her to connect with diverse audiences worldwide. This global presence underscores the reach of her artistic impact, affirming her as an artist of both local importance and international significance.
NOMAD IV itself is more than an exhibition; it is a celebration of artistic vitality. Bringing together more than 175 Southern California artists, the event showcases the region’s creative diversity while providing a unique platform for independent voices. It emphasizes experimentation and inclusion, creating a non-commercial space for genuine artistic expression. By featuring artists like Zhang, NOMAD IV reinforces its reputation as a venue that not only reflects but also amplifies the strength of the Southern California art community.
NOMAD IV is presented alongside the third edition of TRYST, the Torrance Art Museum’s international alternative art fair for artist-run spaces and galleries. This alignment further emphasizes the exhibition’s significance as a hub for artistic innovation, networking, and cross-disciplinary dialogue within Southern California and beyond. TRYST, run through the Torrance Art Museum and the City of Torrance, has become an important international gathering that addresses the needs and futures of global artist-run spaces and collectives. By participating in both TRYST and NOMAD IV, Zhang demonstrates her ability to navigate multiple platforms of artistic exchange, further strengthening her visibility and influence.
Through her participation in NOMAD IV, Liang Zhang continues to demonstrate artistic ability, influence, and commitment to the development of contemporary ceramic art. Her unique blend of technical skill, visionary creativity, and dedication to community engagement positions her as an important figure in the Los Angeles art scene. More than a participant, Zhang stands as a driving force whose contributions shape the direction of contemporary sculpture. Her body of work and ongoing engagement with major art events affirm her impact and lasting legacy in the field of contemporary art.
For more information on Liang Zhang’s work and upcoming exhibitions, visit liangzhang.art.