In conversation with artist Coral Noel Yang
Fusing traditional and modern painting techniques, Coral Noel Yang evokes emotion in her work – her art practice a therapeutic activity and a way to capture the beauty around her.
When Coral started as a filmmaker in Hollywood, she found it difficult to express characters’ emotions and thoughts through dialogue. English is her second language, but this wasn’t the only hurdle – after studying visual language, Coral discovered there was another way she could tell stories: “I realised it’s the use of colours, space, shapes, movements and rhythm that makes film a powerful medium in storytelling.”
From the screen to the canvas, Coral’s heritage has also strongly influenced her work. Her childhood was filled with practising calligraphy and splashing pigmented washes over rice – learning from her mother, a talented artist specialising in Chinese figurative and floral art.
“I didn’t know then that learning calligraphy would teach me brushwork and to be in control, and how valuable that is to me as a painter now,” shares Coral. “Watching my mother creating a unique style, merging her Japanese sensibility with Chinese tradition became part of my artistic heritage. Now when I paint with fluid acrylic over raw canvas in the soak-stain tradition, I often find myself in my sweet spot.
“Painting with fluid paints and making layers of watermarks just melts my heart and soothes my soul. I have a natural love of the quiet and serene, balanced by an innate need to cultivate the care and attentiveness that each piece of work requires.”
Capturing emotion with traditional techniques
Developed by American abstract expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler, the soak-stain technique involves pouring thinned acrylic or oil paint onto an unprimed canvas, allowing it to be absorbed by the canvas. “This results in translucent and ethereal washes of colour that seem to merge with the canvas, rather than sitting on its surface. I love this method because it allows me to use lots of fluid paint to convey my emotions and inner experiences through the flowing, organic nature of my paintings,” says Coral.
For this technique, she mostly uses acrylic and ink, diluted with water.
“Sometimes I add soft pastel and occasionally pigment powder or pouring fluid for different effects. By using various tools – my studio is filled with different types and sizes of soft or hard brushes, silicone wedges and household items – I can manipulate the fluid acrylic on the canvas to create shapes, lines and beautiful watermarks. I’m intrigued by the layers, depth, watermarks and luminance that can be achieved by this method. I especially love how it evokes emotion.”
“I can manipulate the fluid acrylic on the canvas to create shapes, lines and beautiful watermarks. I’m intrigued by the layers, depth, watermarks and luminance that can be achieved by this method.”
Another painting technique Coral uses to evoke emotion in her work is Asian water-ink painting – a method traditionally characterised by a monochromatic palette created by the use of brush and ink. The brushwork is highly expressive and can vary from delicate and controlled, to bold and spontaneous, with varying shapes achieved through different levels of ink concentration and brush techniques.
“Asian ink painting often emphasises simplicity and minimalism, and values the imperfections and unpredictability that can occur during the painting process. I combine the Asian water-ink tradition with the water soak-stain method. Instead of using rice paper and pigments in the water-ink tradition, I prefer using raw canvas and acrylic paint. Canvas is much more durable and easier to work with compared to delicate rice paper, and it allows many layers of paint to achieve vibrance and saturation. But I keep the characteristics and spirit of the water-ink painting – such as the exploration and brushwork, as well as a sense of freedom and spontaneity.”
Finding her artistic style
When she worked in the film industry, Coral was driven to fulfil a collective vision. Now as a solo artist, she says she has the permission to play with different genres, mediums and styles – to follow her natural curiosity.
“And that’s how my style has developed and is still evolving. I pay attention to what I enjoy doing when working with different mediums and how the processes make me feel – I’m a kinesthetic painter, moving both paint and body as they are invisibly connected.
“I’m also attracted to the interplay of fluids and creamy mixtures. I love the expressive brush marks that come from my Asian water-ink upbringing. At the moment, working with acrylic on raw canvas in a contemplative manner makes me feel emotionally connected. I also pay attention to what captures my attention and draws me in; I’ve realised I love mist, glow, luminance, transparency and layers – elements in the natural world that suggest a realm of wonder and grace.”
Nature has definitely inspired much of Coral’s artistic practice – in particular, the landscape of New Zealand.
“I’m thankful for living in New Zealand where beauty abounds everywhere,” she says. “I’m also inspired by emotions connected with stories and memories.”
“I’ve realised I love mist, glow, luminance, transparency and layers – elements in the natural world that suggest a realm of wonder and grace.”
Not only do Coral’s works evoke emotion; her art practice is a way for her to process her emotions. “Creating personal art on canvas and paper has always made me feel alive and connected to my heart in a unique way. Painting is my happy place and has brought me so much joy, pleasure and serenity – especially during the down time in between film projects, navigating through the stressful movie-making process, and going through grief after losing my brother.”
During this difficult stage, Coral carried a sketchbook and a small watercolour kit with her wherever she went. “Doing these little sketches enabled me to respond to the beauty of nature and experience those magical moments when paint was laid on the surface – blending, mixing, blooming and bleeding. Gradually, I realised its therapeutic effects. When I felt that life was out of control, art-making gave me a sense of agency because I could choose what subjects to paint or what colours to use. The freedom to connect with and express my own emotions through art-making nurtured my soul and taught me self-care. At the same time, I fell in love with the spontaneous and intuitive aspects of painting and its surprise and fun satisfied a deep need in me for adventure and wonder.”
When asked about her advice for other creatives, Coral says to “honour your visions and your journey.”
“Trust yourself and release the yet-to-be-discovered you. And know that just as the butterflies – as long as you spread your wings – the air will carry you.”
Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
