Yolanda D. Holley has been stitching together the colorful richness of the human existence since 1990.
Born in eastern Texas and raised on the peninsula of San Francisco, Yolanda incorporates the influences of her past.
Memories of her grandmother’s quilts and garments are self-embroidered impetuses for images depicting plain folk—passions for identity and kinship that blend perfectly. The silhouettes are void of facial expression but display themes of Black life experiences and wisdom intentionally forgotten by the greater assimilated communities. Her visual stories enable viewers to learn from and hold onto. Vibrant hues of handmade paper, cloth, and paint overlay figures to create scenes that simulate an almost dreamlike state.
Yolanda’s work is based not just on her being a Black artist but also her being a person. It’s the transition of art, viewer and artist that is as important as is reflection of style.
Serving on the Richmond Art Center board and the R.A.C. Exhibition Committee has provided an artistic home to exhibit her roots while helping others through organizations such as The Art of Living Black. Commissioned by the City of Richmond General Plan 2030 to illustrate and conceptualize the future preservation of Richmond’s heritage,
Awards & Acknowledgements
Jan Hart Schuyer (TAOLB) 2014 Awardee
Richmond 2030 General Plan: pgs 1 & 47
Richmond 2030 Acknowledgement: pg 7
