Hiromi Tango is a Japanese-Australian artist who has a penchant for kaleidoscopic visuals, which is pretty evident in all of her work. She also explores the intersection of art and science – with a key interest in mental health – and she uses her elaborate and stunning installations to represent complex issues such as the relationship between self and others, as well as focusing on her own personal struggles with anxiety.

We recently had a chat with the rainbow-loving artist about why science plays such a key role in her art, and how she first developed her signature (and incredibly colourful) style.

Hiya Hiromi! Please introduce yourself to us. Hello, my name is Hiromi Tango and I’m an artist based in Bundjalung Country, Northern New South Wales, but I’m originally from Shikoku Island, Japan. I’ve been making my art for almost two decades, and I like to incorporate science, mental health, sustainability and the natural environment into all of my installations.

How did you discover a personal passion for art? I believe that in order to be an artist, you need to be authentic and you really have to crave wanting a space to express yourself, and I had that from a young age. Growing up on a small island in Japan, there were a lot of inequalities and discrimination in my home that stayed with me for a long time. My father believed that my mother and I were beneath him because we were women, so I used this frustration to help fuel my passion for creating art. Moving to Australia when I was 21 years old has really allowed my artistic journey to have space and flourish, and I’ve now been here for 25 years.

Why are you so drawn to colour in your work? I’ve always been inspired by nature, and some of the most vivid and beautiful colours come from our environment. I wanted to reflect the beauty of our natural world within my art because I feel like, in modern life, we are so disconnected from the nature around us. I want people to see my installations and see themselves, whether it’s as a flower or anything else. Nature also always transforms itself through the seasons, and I’m so inspired by this transformation that takes its time and changes step by step. I want everyone to take time to transform and change, and not be influenced by our society's speedy pace. You should move at your own pace and take your time.

What do you hope people will get out of your work? I want people, especially women and people who have mental illness, to be empowered when they see my installations. Art is good for the soul, and I hope that my own art fulfills that role for others. I hope people will see me and how I dress and present myself and it inspires people to not be afraid of what you look like and to stay true to yourself. We’re all so scared to be judged by others and we all want to be liked, but staying true to your own morals is much more important than being liked.

How do you incorporate mental illness in your art? I’ve suffered from anxiety almost my whole life, and art was a real escape for me. Mental illness makes everything seem so scary and so chaotic, so I tried to use this chaos as inspiration for my own chaotic creations! Being a migrant at a young age who didn’t know the language all too well also plays into my inspiration.

And how does science connect to your art? The science of biology is particularly interesting to me. DNA strands have such a unique design that I love to emulate in my own art, but I also find it so powerful that every living creature is made up of these strands. We are all connected and made up of the same stuff, but we are so disconnected from other people and the world around us. I have collaborated before with numerous scientists, health professionals and research institutions to explore how various aspects of the art-making process help to contribute to positive mental wellbeing. DNA makes us human, but so does art!