Naomi Peterson’s ceramic ‘Cup-Cakes’: playful pottery inspired by sweet confections

Naomi Peterson’s ceramic “cup-cakes” blend the charm of sugary delights with the craftsmanship of functional pottery. Each piece is a fusion of sculptural whimsy and everyday utility, featuring swirled frosting, delicate sprinkles, and pastel hues reminiscent of decadent desserts. However, beneath their playful appearance lies a deeper artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from ornate textiles, lavish confections, and personal experiences, Peterson crafts each piece with a balance of spontaneity and precision. Her approach results in ceramics that are not only visually striking but also rich in narrative, exploring the intersection of indulgence, nostalgia, and human connection.

Using a mix of wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques, Peterson constructs her forms with an organic fluidity that embraces imperfection. She layers vibrant glazes, often firing multiple times to achieve intricate color variations and textures. Her background in oil painting informs her meticulous surface decoration, giving each cup-cake an impressionistic depth. The pieces appear almost edible, yet their ceramic composition adds an element of surprise, playing with the senses and expectations. This unique interplay of material and form highlights Peterson’s ability to transform the familiar into something extraordinary.

Beyond their confectionary aesthetic, these ceramic creations serve as reflections on relationships and community. Peterson incorporates dot patterns and negative spaces that symbolize connections between people, emphasizing the significance of collective experiences. Each cup-cake represents a moment of joy, a shared memory, or a personal indulgence — encouraging contemplation on how seemingly simple pleasures can foster deeper emotional bonds. By turning everyday objects into playful yet meaningful works of art, Peterson invites us to reconsider the spaces between functionality and fantasy, tradition and modernity, and the tangible and the evocative.

More info: Website, Instagram.

Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (17)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (2)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (3)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (1)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (4)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (13)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (6)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (7)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (8)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (9)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (11)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (12)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (16)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (14)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (15)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (18)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (10)
Naomi Peterson’s Ceramic 'cup Cakes' (5)
Leandro Lima
Leandro Limahttps://visualflood.com
CEO-founder of Visualflood. A Brazilian fine art photographer, among other things, who loves visual arts, nature, science, and innovative technologies.

You May Also Like

Recently on Visualflood

Trending on Visualflood

Also on Visualflood