Events & News.
Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival
BLOOM IN THE BAY
LOCATION: Tauranga Waterfront
DATES: 14-17 Nov
HOURS: 9:30 am -5 pm Thu, Fri, Sat; 9:30 am - 3 pm Sun
ADDRESS: Tauranga's, Harbour Drive, Otūmoetai, Tauranga 3110
ENTRY: FREE for Festival Pass holders, $5 at the gate for all others (kids under 14 free)
Prayer for Peace Group Exhibition
✨Timeless Dreams ✨ and ✨Sun Halo III - Rise✨ are currently displayed at the quintessential settler’s villa along Whangarei’s Hatea River as part of a 20+ artist group exhibition, ✨A Prayer for Peace✨, presented by @nemesh_art. It was conceived amidst the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, a poignant reflection in solidarity with those ensnared in the clutches of aggression. We invite you to visit, reflect, and offer your thoughts or prayers for peace, joining us in a collective hope for healing and unity for those affected by conflict and aggression. Let this exhibition be a space where art becomes a bridge for compassion and a testament to the enduring human spirit.
Both ✨Timeless Dreams ✨ and ✨Sun Halo III - Rise✨ are available through my website:
Winner of 37th Trust Award - Inspirational Aotearoa Award
Super thankful that ✨Evenfall Meander✨ received the Inspirational Aotearoa Award at The 37th Trust Awards from @waitakerearts. Thanks for Judges comments: Captures the landscape in an emotive style and filled with atmosphere. The reflection of the water, and the colours are executed with refinement. Click the link to learn more about the painting. If you missed collecting the original, my 2025 Flow of Life Calendars features this work and its prints are available by emailing me.
Art In The Park Artist Talk
Hey friends, I'm also super excited that I will be giving an artist talk at 2:30-2:50 pm on Sunday 22nd September at L6 lounge. I will be sharing with you the ethos of this new collection FLOW OF LIFE, what inspires me, my painting process, unique methods and future aspirations. I hope my art journey will remind you that YOU are the most unique masterpiece of art - your voice, your songs, your stories and your visions are the most precious treasures in your life and worth to be cultivated and shared to the world!!
FLOW OF LIFE/ART IN THE PARK
A total of twelve all new paintings have been created to add to the FLOW of LIFE collection with a large portion as in the refreshing green series plus some blue and pink/orange variants. This new collection continues the ethereal and vibrant essence of Tokimeku. However, instead of drawing inspiration from a single location, FLOW of LIFE reflects my experiences of traveling and living across continents, all connected by a single thread—the GLOWING MIST & VAPOUR rising from the land.
Whether it was during my time living on a ranch in Warkworth, New Zealand, witnessing the mist rising across the meadow as dark horses trotted to graze, or when I was a rookie newspaper reporter covering the National Taroko Park in my home country Taiwan, with our jeep winding through the cross-island highway as night fog enveloped us, or when I visited Milford Sound with my mother when thousands of waterfalls downpoured from the deep and thick mist and vapour filled us with mystery and awe —these moments inspired this series.
FLOW of LIFE constantly refills, replenishes, and graces us, holding us in tenderness. Its beauty and wonder remind me of the fact that the Divine is ever present with us where we inhabit. Through nature’s ever-embracing gentleness, invite us to linger, receive, return and belong.
FLOW of LIFE allows me to paint my favorite subject employing my favourite painting method - pouring acrylic fluid unto raw canvas, using gravity to move the paint, creating raw and organic shapes and watermarks, experimenting with translucent layers and thick creamy paints. I love how the unpredictability of the fluid adds the beauty, surprises, freedom and joy to the works, perfectly in sync with nature of the FLOW and LIFE!
The collection will be available at Art in the Park and online soon. To purchase event tickets please visit Art in the Park.
Event schedule:
19th Thursday 6pm-9.30pm Public Opening Night. Purchase early bird tickets here
20th Friday 2pm - 8pm - General Admission
21st Saturday 9.30am - 6.30pm - General Admission
22nd Sunday 9.30am - 4pm - General Admission
Event location:
EDEN PARK, Gate D, Cricket Avenue, The Grand Hall | Te Pā (Level 5, North Stand), Kingsland, Auckland
MAGS ART SHOW
I’m pleased to be exhibiting Five Abstract Landscape paintings at MAGS ART SHOW 2024 to be part of the fundraising endeavours to the school’s arts development.
Established in 2013, a dedicated team of MAGS staff, students and volunteers deliver an outstanding curated Art Event. Featuring works from some of New Zealand’s finest emerging and established artists, alongside those of our own MAGS students, this is a special community event that you won’t want to miss.
100% of this year’s Art Show profits will go to our ARTS Faculty:
10% to our Visual Arts Department,
90% towards the design phase of the MAGS Performing Arts & Culture Centre - a multi-use facility providing a cultural hub and theatre in the heart of the school. It will enable collaboration amongst artists, arts groups, staff, students and the community.
So get the date in your diary: 02-04 August.
With the ever-popular Gala Evening on Friday 2nd August (tickets available at iTicket).
ODE TO JOY
ODE TO JOY Group Show
Coral Noel Yang with Kirstin Carlin, Robin Ranga and Frank Watson
Opening event with a music performance by Emily Rice from Art Music.
Joy may be derived from our surroundings, from our interactions, from an experience. In this exhibition, the work of four artists and a musician from different walks of life, extend an invitation to share in the commonality of shared moments. In response to nature, or relationships, to simply living or to memories. This exhibition may summon a sense of joy or bring to light an emotional response to serve as a gateway to gratitude and reflection.
TOKIMEKU Solo Exhibition
TOKIMEKU
Solo Exhibition & Opening Event
You are cordially invited to TOKIMEKU, a solo exhibition of Coral’s new abstract paintings inspired by a journey to Tamagawa wonderland in Akita Japan, at the Malcolm Smith Gallery, Uxbridge Arts Centre.
Exhibition date: 20 April to 25 May 2024
Opening Celebration: Saturday 20 April 2-4 pm
Original dance: Contemporary dancer Yiling Elaine Chen
Special Guest: Star Radio Lizzie Oaks
Refreshment provided
Free entry & RSVP to coralnoelyang@gmail.com
Location: Malcolm Smith Gallery, Uxbridge Arts Centre
Address: 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick (09) 535 6467
Exhibition hours: Monday - Tuesday 10 am - 4 pm. Sunday closed
To purchase from TOKIMEKU collection, please visit here.
To visit Uxbridge Arts & Culture please click link to the website.
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The Japanese work ‘Tokimeku’ (ときめく) beautifully captures the sensation of a throbbing, fluttering, and palpitating heart - a visceral response to the dance of anticipation. In this new suite of paintings, Coral Noel Yang weaves that notion of pleasure, delicacy, harmony and excitement through a recollection of her experience of the Tamagawa Hot Spring, a secluded mountain healing site in her mother’s hometown, Akita, Japan.
The rich landscape of the hot spring and its surrounding terrain provides bountiful inspiration for visual storytelling. Within each artwork, a palpable curiosity about the fluidity of water, the ascending glow of vapour, and the ethereal atmosphere of the land emerges. Rendered through a rich and personal abstract language, Tokimeku captures the emotions and ethos of the artist and her pilgrimage.
~ Paul Brobbel, Director, UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture
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Special thanks to my family and Robert Hsieh Sponsorship
BIG.SMALL Group Exhibition
BIG. SMALL Group Exhibition @ THE COLLABORATION
Super stoked that I got invited to exhibit @thecollaborationnz in New Plymouth this summer!! This summer group exhibition is called BIG.SMALL which opens Thursday night 30th Nov.
All welcome 🥂🥂🥂!
Big Small is an annual end of the year show where 10 artist exhibits one large artwork alongside one small artwork. It coincides with an epic pop up that celebrates 66 local business. It is always a fun way to finish the year of collaboration!! I can’t wait to see the talented team @thecollaborationnz led by the amazing artist and manager @artiststomarket do to the space! Four of my SPARK JOY collection are available through The Collaboration currently!! The show runs from 28 Nov - 7 Jan. Don’t miss it my friends!
ARTPOINT
ARTPOINT - HOBSONVILLE ART TRAIL + OPEN STUDIO
Hello friends, super excited to invite you to Artpoint, a day of arts in and around Hobsonville Point including open studios, exhibition, workshops. Though I don’t live in Hobsonville area I am so honoured to be invited to exhibit at the very artisan Catalina Bay Farmer’s Market. To welcome summer in New Zealand, I will be brining my ocean themed collections “Open Sanctuary” and “Coral Blooms” to meet with you. The popular Catalina Bay Farmers Market is one of the few Auckland farmers markets that is on the waterfront. You’ll find anything from local produce, artisanal baked goods and ready-to-eat treats. Step straight off the ferry and into the market or park up-top on Hudson Bay Road. Ther’re a few lovely cafes and eateries in the area and not to forget the amazing coastal walking trails with breathtaking views. Perfect family outing opportunity over the weekend. I will be there from 8:30 am - 2 pm. Although the Artpoint open studio is open 10 am - 4 pm. Be sure to check each studio before you visit.
Visit Artpoint for more information of all the artists who participate in the events and the map of the event.
Visit Catalina Farmer’s Market for more market info.
Emerging Artist Awards 2023 @ Upstairs Gallery
‘FINDING THE HEARTBEAT’ has been selected as a finalist in the Emerging Artist Awards 2023 and won the John Wells Award. The exhibition is running from 14th Oct to 5th Nov, daily 10 am - 4 pm at the Upstairs Gallery in Titirangi. This unique art competition and exhibition was created to generate awareness for the mental health in Aotearoa and to highlight the benefit of art and creativity on the wellbeing of individuals and community. The theme of this year is “Connection”. Connection is non-negotiable for our well-being and each art in this exhibition explores this theme.
My entry ‘FINDING THE HEARTBEAT’ is rich with connection layers. Please read my artist statement for the complete message -
*Finding the Heartbeat* draws inspiration from my recent trip to my mother's hometown Akita Japan where my family and I took an out-of-the-world pilgrimage to the historical healing site Tamagawa Hot Spring. This is the first family trip we took after losing our brother in 2018 and a long Covid separation. After returning to New Zealand, the sight and sound of the outflowing fountainhead, the luminous volcanic vapour and the volcanic sulphur steam still pulsate in my veins. I know deeply that a rebirth has happened to us and I was eager to process the layers of emotions through abstract painting.
There were so many layers of “connections” I discovered during this visit: deeper connection with my family, with our cultural roots, with nature, and with our own selves. We bathed in the uniquely acidy hot spring water, cooked eggs and purple potatoes on sulphur steam, picnicked on the warm heating radium rocks, awed by the natural phenomenon Sun Halo, listened to the stories of healing from illness including my cousin’s wife, learned about the therapeutic native plants in the deep mountains. We were blessed with a sense of wonder and belonging that spark off our heart beat again after a long season of healing! When we find our heartbeat, we are finding the rhythm in which our life can thrive!
*Finding the Heartbeat* leaned into my practice in the Soak-Stain method pioneered by Helen Frankenthaler, applying layers of fluid paint unto raw canvas, and experimenting with abstract symbols to capture the essence of my Tamagawa journey: the exhilarating encounters with the passion and life of nature, the belonging and togetherness we have found in each other’s presence and acceptance, and the courage and inspiration we can draw from the struggles and triumphs of others.
ARTIST TALK - How to Lean into Your Intuition & Discover Your Aesthetic Story
Hello fellow creatives, I’ll have an artist talk this Sat 22 April 11vam at Becroft Gallery @lakehousearts. My subject is ✨How to Lean Into Your Intuition & Discover Your Aesthetic Story✨. If you want to develop your voice as an artist, artisan or creative entrepreneur, create works that come from your stories, values, personality, history, and develop your unique language to express all the riches within you, come and join us.
For three years as a full time painter, I explored all sorts of genres and mediums, from watercolor to acrylic to oil to mixed media, from abstract to floral to portraiture. I loved all of them but was also lost about what’s my style and voice. I was inspired by all sorts of great arts but can’t say I was rooted in my own expression. Until UNFURLING unlocked my aesthetics and use of medium. I’d like to share with you my journey, from feeling frustrated to becoming anchored. I’d love to help you embracing who you are as a creative and boldly unleashing your unique magic! ✨😀✨
Free entry. RSVP @ coralnoelyang@gmail.com
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#artisttalk
#nzartist
#aestheticstory
UNFURLING OPENING CELEBRATION
When I was preparing for my first cafe solo show two years ago, my creative friend Hazel asked me, “how can you make it an immersive experience for people who come?” It sticked with me and from then on I’ve wanted to create an art experience that can engage with the audience on different sensory levels and so the paintings can connect with the audience emotionally in a richer way.
That’s why I’m super stoked to invite you to this special opening celebration of UNFURLING on Sunday 16th April 4-6pm at Becroft Gallery in Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna. Not only will I exhibit my newest abstract paintings but also three powerhouse ladies are coming to perform their original music and dance!! I’m beyond words excited for you because it’s going to be a beautiful night celebrating creativity!
So my stars are: LIZZIE, Vicki Millar and Yiling Elaine Chen. LIZZIE is a charismatic Rhema TV/radio broadcaster and a talented vocalist/songwriter. She’s been sining and songwriting since childhood and recently rededicated to her old passion. Vicki Millar is a writer/actress/musical theatre director with a creative coaching business. This will be the world premiere of a song from her original musical. Both of their original songs share the deep longing in us to come home to our creativity and evoke our creative dreams to unfurl. Yiling Elaine Chen is a professional dancer and choreographer with years of stage and commercial experiences. She will perform her original dance with music by US Indie Pop Juniper Vale (our deepest gratitude) along the theme of "Unfurling". So you don’t want to miss this immersive art experience where we share our unfurling journey in creativity. The purpose is to empower you to celebrate your voices and expression! We want to be the catalyst to affirm your creative dreams and journeys!
Refreshment 🍰🍹provided with special thanks to Hallertau NZ 🥂. Please RSVP at coralnoelyang@gmail.com.
Unfurling Art exhibition runs from 15-27 April with Artist Talk on Sat 22nd April 11am where I will share How to Lean into Intuition & Discover Your Aesthetic Story. It draws inspiration from my nightly walks with my parents as a five year old when I first encountered the magic of fireflies in a time and space of belonging and wonder.
Looking forward to seeing you there! 🌸🦋💕🎉🐬🥰
UNFURLING - Art Exhibition
UNFURLING is a collection of my new abstract acrylic paintings created in 2023. It draws inspiration from the nightly walks I took with my parents as a little five year old. During the summer evenings, we would take a stroll from our house to the university campus where my dad was teaching. We would walk by the alleyway franked by hibiscus shrubs, stopped by a pond beaming with tropical vegetation, dragonflies and frogs, picked up my favourite jelly snack from the corner store and then meandered into the campus. In the twilight hours, the night jasmine unfold their blooms and filled the air with delightful aroma. Then one by one the fireflies flew out of the shrubs and and trees and lit up the night with their cheerful lanterns. I would be chasing after the bugs, trying to capture them with a glass jar, or just letting the sweet cool jelly slipped down my throat.
Leaning into my imagination of vaporous memories I desire to capture a sense of belonging and magic through my exploration of abstract language, watery marks, transparent layers and fluid pouring. In the process I blend the Soak-Stain method pioneered by the 20th-century abstract artist Helen Frankenthaler and the Asian Ink Water tradition to create the unique layering, depth and luminosity of the imageries.
OPEN SANCTUARY
Yes I have another exhibition going on!! OPEN SANCTUARY!!!
Open Sanctuary is a collection of intuitive abstract works I created in 2022. Inspired by my art residency at Gulf Harbour where I get to enjoy frequent visits to Shakespear Park, a haven for native wildlife amidst sheltered bays, wetlands, regenerating native forest, cliffs, historic places and a lookout with views second to none. The concept of “Open Sanctuary” became alive to me. I became fascinated with this idea and saw not just the wildlife needs an open sanctuary but also our human souls.
Under the vast horizon of the open sanctuary I feel expansive and enlarged, free and empowered. As if returning to the 7 year old kid I can run, frolic and explore as I am. In my dabbling into psychology, I understand how we humans have contradictory needs for both safety and adventure, control and surprise. And as a creative, we constantly live between the tension of the pendulum, both needed to keep our creative soul alive and fresh. I start to see how “Open Sanctuary” could be the perfect metaphor for a creative haven where adventures abound in a safe flourishing ecosystem.
My technical approach is an utter surrender to the intuitive process. Without much thinking nor planning, I followed the 7 year old in me, simply allowing a wide range of paints and ink to have a party on the canvases. I abandoned traditional brushes and instead employed rollers, silicon wedges, foam brushes, trowels, and fingers. I followed my need for certain colour palettes and enjoyed the very tactile experience of creating a diverse textures of the paints on canvas.
I realised mostly in retrospect what I was trying to capture on the canvases - something
Like a new leaf unfurled in the spring breeze
Like the smile of a baby dreaming away in strong arms
Like the shellfish exposed its vulnerable flesh soft and tender
Like the newborn skin pink and young and transparent
In an Open Sanctuary our hearts can start to open up
Feeling trusting, accepted, embraced again
The safety allows us to explore the unknown and chase the wild
There is a deep knowing that after our adventures we have a resting place to return to.
2022 Term 4 Events
2022 Term 4 turns out to be a busy time. Various shows and events for you if you are keen to see my arts in different parts of Auckland and Tauranga!!!
10th Oct - 6th Nov Upstairs Gallery - 2022 Emerging Artist Award - The Joy in Art.
Award Ceremony 14th October Friday 6-7:30 pm
My new mixed media work Coral Bloom has been selected as a finalist! Super exciting!
For more info please visit The Upstair Gallery Website.
29th Oct - 4th Dec 2022 Art Salon - Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Auckland
I will have three large oil paintings exhibited here.
1st - 26th Nov Kumeu Arts Centre - 2022 Kumeu Arts Award Exhibition.
Award Ceremony - 29th October Saturday 5-7 pm
My Soul Party in the Deep and Chrysalis Dreams have been selected as finalists this year. For more info please visit Kumeu Arts Centre.
1st - 15th Open Sanctuary Solo Show Mairiangi Arts Centre Artspace. For visiting info please visit MAC.
17th - 20th Nov Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival. I will be doing live art demo at the Hub Bloom in the Bay and have my artworks and calendars for sale.
18th Nov - 3rd Dec Stage Play 3 Women, Dolphin Theatre. My abstract painting Love Does will be on stage as part of the set dressing for a stage play. More info to follow,
THE ART OF NEWMARKET
Newmarket is widely known as Auckland’s premier shopping, entertainment and hospitality precinct but are you aware of fine art galleries and outdoor art nestled amongst the boutique-lined streets? Celebrate our diverse and vibrant arts community with ‘The Art of Newmarket’ – a two week long celebration of creativity here in Newmarket. There will be art cycle tours, gallery events, drawing classes, walking tours and more. I’m exceptionally excited to have my solo exhibition “Spread Your Wings” held at the Newmarket Station Studio 2 and be part of the Walking Art Tour organised by Street Artearoa on 27/28 Aug and 03/04 Sep!
“Spread Your Wings” exhibition has three parts: my new Expressive Female Portraits, Felicity Floral Collection and Mixed Media Collage Collection. It is an ode to our undefeatable spirit and a call to us collectively to break out of the cocoons, stretch our wings, and fly in our genius zone.
Through unique layering and blending with mixed media, oil and acrylic, my female portraits are vibrant, evocative and each tells a story with a message to expand the viewers’ imagination and ignite their own magic within. My process involves combining the digital during the design phase and the analogue during the painting stage, and merging the realism and the abstract. I especially love layering the abstract background intuitively and playfully on canvas, and then render the figures in oil with all its lush and rich vibrancy and texture.
The Felicity Floral Collection is composed of twelve exquisite small floral works that celebrate the abundance of heart. My love for painting flowers comes from my early childhood memory of watching my mom working in our garden when the dew was wet and the sun was cheerful. I would be playing around messing with soil, counting flower petals or reciting poetry. When I painted these floral pieces I felt exuberant joy and contentment just as a little girl exploring in a safe haven. I hope each painting helps to fill your cup too. When our hearts are filled with goodness, we can share our abundance with those around us and in the world.
The exhibition is especially a tribute to women. I believe that when we lift up one woman, we lift up a family and hence an entire community. That is the driving force and message behind my art and *Spread Your Wings* art exhibition. So come along, join the art tour or simply visit the studio. I will also have live art demo Wed - Sun 10 am - 4:30 pm.
To enjoy the works online, read about my creative thoughts behind the works and to make purchases, you can visit the Spread Your Wings Exhibition Page.
To find out more about The Art of Newmarket, please visit Newmarket Business Association Blog.
To book your free tickets for the ART WALK TOUR, please visit Street Artearoa.
Special thanks to
Newmarket Business Association - Arts & Heritage
Johnny Hui
Robert Hsieh
Tomoko Saitoh
FORGOTTEN ORIGIN - A SOLO ART SHOW
Coral Noel Yang’s solo art show at Little & Local Cafe/Bistrol
Cafe hours: 8am - 3pm daily
Bistro hours: Mon-Tue 8am-1pm Wed -Sun 8am-late
MULTIPLES Group Exhibition and An Abstract Mixed Media Collage Workshop
Super stoked that I’m chosen to be part of this fun group exhibition where 9 artists are showing works that were created in a series and carry the same theme and medium. My mixed media collage small works Spread the Wings full of experimental spirit and colourful vibes will be exhibited from 30th March to 23rd April.
“Spread Your Wings” abstract collage collection consists of 21 small works ranging from 100 x 100 mm to 250 x 250 mm, with one 400 x 400 mm centrepiece. They were created out of repurposed colour palettes. The idea came when I found how beautiful my used colour palettes are - the colours are vibrant and the brush marks are raw and potent, full of unexpected shades, textures and happy accidents. Out of sheer delight I cut them into small shapes and rearranged them onto different surfaces including paper, board, and canvas. Some then were varnished to have a resin-like surface. Some were left matty. The process was highly therapeutic during our most recent Auckland lockdown. I named each piece according to their feel and personality. They are so cheerful I feel they are ready to spread their wings. Now I employs this playful experimentation to ease into my creative flow, to study colours and explore composition, a great vehicle to enrich my painting practice.
I will also be teaching An Abstract Mixed Media Collage Workshop on Sat 23rd April (10 am -12 pm) during this exhibition. Come and play with paper, fabric, mark making, shapes, and create multiple mini works.
The process is relaxing, freeing and stimulating, and can help learn about composition and design in a very fun way.
Places are limited and please enrol at Kumeu Arts Workshop.
HEART OF THE CITY POP UP ART & LATE NIGHT ART EVENT
As a result of the government announcement and our move into the red setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework on Sunday 23 January, Heart of the City have made the difficult decision to cancel our Late-Night Art event that was scheduled to go ahead on 17 March 2022.
Late Night Art is an annual event that Heart of the City have been curating for a number of years and here is a bit of brief copy on the event itself by Heart of the City!
Enjoy the city centre at its creative best by joining a culture loving crowd for a night of art, exhibitions, activities, light, music, and performance in the heart of the city. Stroll the galleries open late and take in the program of activations in the Ellen Melville Centre and Freyberg Place, O’Connell Street, Khartoum Place, and the wider Aotea Arts Quarter including an art market, exhibitions and more. Engage with a series of artistic projects created by students from the University of Auckland's School of Architecture & Planning on O’Connell Street for their annual Urban Art Village, join one of the free guided Artwalks or marvel at the fairy lights in Khartoum Place.
We activate Freyberg Place, Khartoum Place, O’Connell Street and Ellen Melville. We also work with a number of venue such as The Tuesday Club and Cassette Nine who have events at their venues, Art Galleries stay open late, we have free guided ArtWalk’s across the week and work with the likes of Auckland Council to activate different parts of the city centre.
Sponsored by Heart of the City Auckland, the 246 ART COLLECTIVE will be part of the Late Night ART EVENT and a Pop Up show on 17 March at Ellen Melville Centre (Betty Wark Room on the ground floor) . Joining me are artists Hannah Court and Yeonjae Choi who will exhibit their beautiful sculpture lights.
Winners Exhibition Kumeu Arts Awards 2021
Hi friends, Magnolia Dreamtime and Honey Dew at Dawn will be exhibited at the Winners Exhibition Kumeu Arts Awards 2021! Magnolia Dreamtime was voted to win People’s Choice Award and again Honey Dew at Dawn was chosen by my online fans to exhibit alongside. Please come to see this exciting show!
Kumeu Arts is thrilled to announce an exciting group exhibition this March by nine acclaimed artists. All of those involved won awards at the Kumeu Arts Awards last year. Due to Covid the 2021 Awards were held online and the winning artworks displayed in a virtual gallery. Now visitors will be able to see them ‘in the flesh’ in our galleries hanging alongside other new works.
Artists:
Oliver Cain
Tracey Coakley
Arwen Flowers
Natalie Gelder
Rahul Tailor
Katie Russell
Cindy Scott Natalia Scott
Coral Noel Yang
Exhibition Opening event: Friday 4th March. 5-7pm (vaccine passes required to attend).
Open Studio Waitakere
Event Cancellation Notice - Following NZ's move to the red traffic light level, Auckland Council and Open Studio Waitākere has made the decision to cancel the event that was scheduled for the 12-13 February. We have made the decision to put the safety of our community first. We always strive to deliver a safe and fun event, and feel that at this time it would be unwise to deliver the event when we cannot guarantee the safety of our attendees and the artists. In the meantime, please stay safe and check in on your loved ones.
I’m super excited that this year I will be one of the New Artists joining Open Studio Waitakere. You will have a rare opportunity to visit my studio situated inside a fern forest, watch me work, view my figurative and abstract paintings and purchase my artworks. I look forward to getting connected with you and chatting about art and creative journey.
Open Studios Waitākere is an annual weekend opportunity for artists resident in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area to open their studios to the public. With over 80 artists involved, and 40 studios from Piha to Glen Eden, Titirangi to Te Henga, it's an inspiring weekend out and about!
The weekend provides the opportunity to meet local artists, see art in action, purchase local artwork and learn about the creative process. Visit some of Waitākere's most celebrated artists including sculptors, painters, jewellers, illustrators, ceramic artists and photographers. Many of the artists will have works for sale, so we recommend having some cash ready!
You can take a self-guided tour at your own pace with our Open Studios Map and mobile App, or jump on an Open Studios Bus Tour. Enjoy a short break from your Open Studios touring to attend one of the workshops or exhibitions.
FESTIVAL ONE
HARTFORD
28 - 31 JAN 2022
MUSIC, ART & COMMUNITY
RED TRAFFIC LIGHT CANCELS FESTIVAL ONE
“It's official - Festival One is moving to a new location. We'll be greeting you at the beautiful Karapiro landscape called, Hartford. Like the rhythm of a pulsing heart, these three things beat in the core of who we are. Music, Art & Community. Three practices in which we explore and find meaning. Music, Art & Community. Three forms of expression tying us into what it means to be human.
I will be exhibiting my abstract paintings along with other artists, sharing our art journey and teach art workshop. This year’s theme is “Joyous Celebration”. It’s going to be four days of full blast creativity, family, community, love, deep connection with heart and soul! Looking forward to seeing you there!
WHISKY LABEL COLLABORATION
When Whisky meets Art -
During the second Auckland lockdown in 2021 I had a unique experience creating a large abstract painting for the NZ Whisky Club for a Whisky label - Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique. This whisky was awarded the 2015 World Whisky Awards and considered World 's best Single Malt Whisky.
The collaboration project was meaningful to me because as we were entrenched in the second Covid year, unable to visit family and friends in home countries, we all feel homesick and miss the freedom to travel.
The NZ Whisky Club had this idea to bottle their own casket of whisky and create a commemorative label for the club to uplift the spirit of the members. By sharing this special edition of Kavalan they connect friends and relieve homesickness.
As most of the members of the NZ Whisky Club are from Taiwan, Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique produced by the King Car distillers in Taiwan became the obvious choice for this special occasion.
The NZ Whisky Club approached me to create this label and they chose a most wonderful theme “Boundless Oceans & Vast Skies,” wishing we will be free of Covid and be able to travel and visit our homeland soon.
Upon receiving this assignment, I just fell in love with the idea. My imagination kicked into gear. I’m seeing sunlight bursting, dolphins leaping, water splashing, schools of fish swimming with the currents. Of course these images were abstracted into shapes, lines, dots and circles in bold brush strokes and vibrant colours. I want to express the emotions of joy, energy, excitement and exuberance, a state of carefree and happiness that we all long for.
To see the original painting, please click the link.
Previously I had zero knowledge about Whisky, but living in the wine country New Zealand, it is natural to develop an appreciation for the wine culture. According to the experts, to mature their Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique expression, the King Car distillers in Taiwan use casks which have held both red and white wines, before being re-toasted. The whisky is fully matured in these casks to help their Taiwanese single malt develop a bold, expressive flavour profile brimming with berry, plum and caramelised sugar notes. At the Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Competition this exciting Taiwanese whisky received a Gold Medal and an impressive score of 91 out of 100.
I love how art can be enjoyed in our everyday life through collaboration with different products. I look forward to more projects like this!
*Magnolia Dreamtime* won People's Choice Award in Kumeu Arts Awards 2021
Magnolia Dreamtime won People’s Choice Award in Kumeu Arts Awards 2021
2022 WAITAKERE ARTS CALENDAR FEATURING *KISSED BY GOLD*
Coral Noel Yang’s impressionistic style floral painting Kissed by Gold is featured in 2022 Waitakere Arts Calendar
HEART BLOOM Pop Up Art Show
After three and half months strict Covid lockdown in Auckland, it is a surprise to me that HEART BLOOM Pop Up Art Show is a go! Although due to the 30 min per visit rule, the show needs to be kept fairly low key, I’m excited to show my recent paintings done in mixed media with oil, acrylic and ink. The thread of the show is the exuberant wild blooms captured in each painting. What’s unique about the the collection is my unplanned process, fast-action and uninhibited joy.
My method creating these paintings involves first layers of acrylic and ink where I let go of control and invited spontaneous happening and exhilarating surprises on the canvas. Then I built the images with acrylic based on what the painting has revealed to me or called for. Sometimes there’s a long breaks of days between the layers when I saw what I could do with the paintings. The final rendering is done in oil to create a softer and harmonious glow. The ultimate intention is to capture the emotional impact I feel from the beauty of the wild nature in Aotearoa.