Interview with Ashley Yang (English ver.)

Q. Could you kindly introduce yourself and share how your journey in art began?

A. My name is Ashley Yang. I worked as a fashion designer in Los Angeles for many years. After moving back to Korea in 2021, I was at a point in my life where I needed to focus on healing and finding a way to move forward. Painting became part of that process, helping me work through my emotions and feel more at ease over time. What started as a personal way to heal has grown into something much bigger in my life and work. 

In February 2025, I will join a group exhibition at ArteWith in Seoul, South Korea, where I will be showcasing my The Depth of Remains series. This series explores themes of healing and transformation, focusing on how the emotional weight of what stays with us shapes our growth. This exhibition is an important step in my journey, and I’m excited to share my work through these pieces.

Q. Among your body of work, is there a particular piece or series that you feel was especially pivotal in shaping your artistic career?

A.  The series Fading Echoes, Lingering Traces has been a turning point in my artistic journey. It looks at how memories and emotions change over time—some becoming softer or harder to recall, while others stay with us and leave lasting impressions. The title reflects this: Fading Echoes shows how some memories begin to blur, and Lingering Traces focuses on what remains and continues to shape who we are.

Building on this, my new series The Depth of Remains takes these ideas further by exploring healing and transformation. It focuses on how the things that remain with us after difficult experiences can help us move forward and grow. This series represents an important step in my artistic growth.

Q. Could you walk us through your creative process? How do you approach the development and expression of your ideas through your art?

A.My creative process begins with choosing a color and starting on a blank canvas. From there, I build layers upon layers of colors and emotions. The contrasts between these layers often clash and interact, creating depth and complexity. I don’t always have a fixed plan when I start; instead, the painting often leads me toward how it wants to be finished. It feels like a conversation with the canvas, where each layer influences the next, guiding me toward the final piece. This process allows me to express my emotions naturally while letting the painting evolve in its own way.

Q. Are there specific artists, movements, or works that have significantly influenced your artistic vision and practice?

A. I’ve been influenced by artists like Clyfford Still, Mark Rothko, and Helen Frankenthaler. What inspires me most is how they use color and layers to communicate with people. They don’t rely on obvious images to tell a story but instead let the colors and forms do the work. It feels personal because the audience can connect with it in their own way.

Their work has made me think a lot about how I use color in my own paintings and how I can build layers to show emotion and meaning. It’s not about explaining everything directly but letting the painting speak for itself. These artists have really shaped how I approach my art and how I think about connecting with the audience.

Q. Inspiration often plays a key role in an artist’s work. Where do you draw inspiration from, and how do you develop these ideas into your creations?

A. I start painting early in the morning, before dawn, because I love the quiet and stillness of that time. The fresh air, soft light, and calm atmosphere help me focus completely on myself and my emotions. It’s a moment where I feel connected to the canvas without distractions.

My inspiration comes from my emotions and the process of understanding them. Painting allows me to release what I’m feeling and explore those emotions as I work. I’m also inspired by subtle things around me, like the way light shifts, certain memories, or the mood of the early morning.

Each day, I set the mood by turning on music, which helps me get into the right mindset. As I paint, I build layers of color and contrast, letting the canvas evolve naturally. The process isn’t about recreating a specific moment—it’s about expressing my feelings and finding meaning through the act of painting itself.

Q. What do you hope audiences experience or take away when they engage with your art?

A. I hope my work encourages people to reflect on their own emotions or experiences. Everyone sees art differently, and I don’t try to control how people feel about my work. But I hope it leaves a lasting impression and offers a space for personal reflection or connection.

Q. Looking ahead, do you have a dream project you aspire to undertake? Could you share some of your future plans or aspirations as an artist?

A. After completing The Depth of Remains, I want to create a new series that focuses on the healing process and the sense of renewal that follows. This series would use lighter tones and explore themes of growth and freedom. My goal is to show how healing is not just about overcoming pain but about transforming and moving forward in a way that feels open and full of possibility.

Q. How has your work evolved over time? Are there specific themes or ideas you find yourself returning to throughout your career?

A. My work has evolved from focusing on heavier, introspective themes to exploring ideas of resilience and healing. With The Depth of Remains, I’ve been looking at how what stays with us after challenging times can help us grow and transform. This series reflects my ongoing interest in how emotions and experiences shape us over time and how we find strength through that process.

Q. Do you find that the context of your surroundings—whether cultural, social, or environmental—affects your artistic process or the themes you explore?

A. My surroundings and experiences have always influenced my art in meaningful ways. Living in Los Angeles for nearly 20 years immersed me in a mix of cultures and creative perspectives. This environment taught me to embrace diversity, think openly, and approach ideas from different angles, which continues to shape how I create today.

My background as a fashion designer also plays an important role. In fashion, I worked with color, form, and composition to tell a story, and I bring that same approach to my paintings. Together, these experiences shape how I explore themes and communicate through my work.

Q. Is there anything you would like our readers to know about you or your work that we haven’t covered?

A. My art is about both my intentions and how others interpret it. I enjoy hearing different perspectives because they add new layers of meaning to the work. For me, art isn’t just a finished product—it’s about the connection it creates and how it continues to grow as others engage with it.

Contact
Artist : Ashley Yang
Instagram : @artby.ashelyyang