Street Art Profiles: Ida Noelle

ArtistsStreet Art

Aug 18

If you’ve walked around the lively streets of NYC’s Lower East Side lately, you may have seen artist Ida Noelle’s beautiful murals lining some of the walls, as part of the 100 Gates Project. Ida sits down here to talk more about her art:

Artist Name: Ida Noelle Calumpang

Hometown: Ida was born in Manila, Philippines and raised between the deserts of the Middle East and the tropics of Southeast Asia.

Artist type: Illustrations, murals, painting, graphic design, performance art

Where you can see her work: Check out Ida’s murals in the 100 Gates Project in the Lower East Side, NYC. Ida's giant garden murals have been planted in living spaces around Asia, Europe and the United States. Ida also has a book that is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (formerly at the Smithsonian). Textiles of the Philippines is a one-of-a-kind coloring book featuring the richly diverse textile-making traditions of the Ifugao, Bagobo, Yakan, and Tausug peoples. The book is a unique artist collaboration between PJ Gubatina Policarpio and Ida Noelle Calumpang that brings together accessible information with original hand-painted illustrations that honors the exquisite handiwork of expert weavers and textile-makers across the archipelago.

How long have you been doing art?

I've been playing around with art as a hobby since childhood but started practicing in a more professional capacity after college when I started illustrating for some magazines and doing mural commissions. Art has been a consistent thread throughout my life, not necessarily as a full-time job, but I always had some art related project in the works, whether it be illustration, painting, murals, graphic design or even performance art.

What got you into art?

I would say I have always been influenced by my immediate family, who are very intrinsically creative, so growing up in that environment it felt natural to gravitate towards something artistic. I remember watching my mother or my brother painting something or my dad making things with his hands and I always admired how talented they were, which made me also want to do something creative. I spent a lot of my free time as a kid just drawing or painting for fun and I always had a sketchbook around. I also felt that I was surrounded by friends and teachers who were very supportive of my creativity and always encouraged me to continue doing it even into adulthood.

What are your murals in the 100 Gates Project?

I've done three murals for the 100 Gates Project, two are in the Lower East Side for The Sill on Hester Street and for Oak Labs on Orchard Street. These two murals both had a minimalist and nature focused theme inspired by plant forms and patterns. The third one is in the East Village for Hairrari Barbershop on 1st Street, which takes on a more abstract theme focused on conveying movement and emotion through the use of line and color.

Where are your 100 Gates Project murals located?

The Sill, 84 Hester Street, New York, NY
Oak Labs, 122 Orchard Street, New York, NY
Hairrari Barbershop, 34 E. 1st Street, New York, NY

How did you get involved with 100 Gates Project?

I got into the 100 Gates Project when I applied to their open call and was selected as one of the artists for their first round of murals in the Lower East Side.

Do you have any certain messages or themes you'd like to convey with your art?

I like the idea of using art as a tool to inspire something positive in an individual or a community. Working as a mural artist and being exposed to the communities where I paint them, I've personally witnessed how immediate and uplifting the impact of public art can be. When I'm out painting a mural, people always stop to watch or have a friendly chat with me and ask about the work. It feels really good to hear people express their appreciation in seeing more art in their community and I'm really happy to be a part of making that happen.

Do you have any upcoming projects you'd like to talk about?

No concrete projects in the works at the moment. But I just moved to California and I've always admired the public art scene here so I hope to jump into it soon!

Where can people learn more about your art?

I have a website: www.idanoelle.com and an instagram: @idaisda

Marnie Kunz is a RRCA-certified running coach and the creator of Runstreet Art Runs, which bring together communities through running and street art. She is a Brooklyn resident, running coach and writer.