Coral Noel Yang, an Auckland-based contemporary painter, skillfully merges Soak-Stain techniques with Asian water-ink traditions to create vibrant abstract and landscape art using acrylics. Drawing inspiration from Aotearoa, her global filmmaking experience, and her Chinese-Japanese heritage, Coral’s works are characterized by luminous hues, expressive marks, and whimsical brushstrokes that capture the essence of nature and the depth of human emotions.
Enthralled by the unpredictable beauty of fluidity, she seamlessly blends intuitive material play with meticulous design. Layers enriched with watermarks and organic shapes—often formed by manipulating paint against gravity—are traversed by purposeful lines that signify the passage of an emotional pilgrimage. Her paintings evoke a profound sense of wonder and belonging, resonating both locally and internationally.
Since 2021, Coral has held several successful solo exhibitions in Auckland, including Unfurling (2023) and Tokimeku (2024). She has also been invited to showcase her work at The Auckland Art Show 2024 and Art in the Park 2024. Coral received the John Wells Award at the Emerging Artist Awards of Upstairs Gallery in 2023 and was a finalist at the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize in 2024.
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GLIMMERS OF BLISS showcases the vibrant sulphur rocks and fumaroles of Tamagawa, juxtaposed against the winding hot spring stream and the billowing white vapours that cascade through the valley. Delicate washes of colour evoke the landscape, while whimsical marks suggest the presence of rocks and pebbles. The dynamic geometry and refreshing colour palette beckon viewers to immerse themselves in a journey of joy and bliss, exploring the endless possibilities and hopeful vistas of this enchanting land.
This painting is crafted using acrylic and soft pastel on raw canvas, fusing the soak-stain technique pioneered by the 20th century American abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler with the artistic traditions of Asian water-ink that have been a cherished part of my upbringing.
Frame: White tray frame
Medium: Acrylic & soft pastel on raw canvas
Signed, sealed, varnished, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Year of creation: 2024
HEARTSTRINGS OF A NEW DAWN showcases the hues of love, hope, and dreams, characteristic of the RED subset within the Tokimeku collection. Its geometric patterns echo the swirling vapours of Tamagawa’s hot springs, while also resembling the gentle curve of a heart. Whimsical splashes of colour, thickly applied paint, and ink lines and drips suggestive of bedrock and land formations create a striking contrast against the delicate layers of vapour. This piece symbolises the emergence of a new day, where the heart resonates with a fresh melody, pulsating with renewed possibilities and joy.
This painting is crafted using acrylic and soft pastel on raw canvas, fusing the soak-stain technique pioneered by the 20th century American abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler with the artistic traditions of Asian water-ink that have been a cherished part of my upbringing.
Frame: White tray frame
Medium: Acrylic, ink, soft pastel & pencil on raw canvas
Signed, sealed, varnished, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Year of creation: 2024
Seeking Heart’s Gold captures the ethereal mist of Tamagawa’s vapours and the golden, healing sulphuric rocks that line its banks. Various shades of yellow, ranging from lemon and Indian to honey, dance across the canvas, shimmering like crystals against the backdrop of a creamy pinkish vapour glow. Winding lines traverse the painting, suggesting the journey of pilgrims, while delicate, whimsical pencil drawings add intricate details to the radium rocks. The artwork serves as a metaphor for our ongoing quest to discover the treasures within our hearts. Each of us is akin to a rich mine, brimming with precious talents and strengths essential for the abundant life we aspire to. All that’s required is to allow love to activate and reveal the gold hidden within us.
This painting is crafted using acrylic and soft pastel on raw canvas, fusing the soak-stain technique pioneered by the 20th century American abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler with the artistic traditions of Asian water-ink that have been a cherished part of my upbringing.
Frame: Chilean pine tray frame
Medium: Acrylic, soft pastel & pencil on raw canvas
Signed, sealed, varnished, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Year of creation: 2024