The Millennial Practice in Yolanda Gonzalez’s and YOLA’s Ceramics

As part of the Getty, Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, The Here/There exhibit, the millennial practice of taking clay and give it shape could not be better expressed with the ceramic works of artists Yolanda Gonzalez and YOLA her mother at the FM Fine Art Gallery exhibition in West Los Angeles from October 15 – November 3, 2017 . The handmade experience presented by both mother and daughter is a quality of intimacy between the natural elements, meditation and the art of imperfection. There is a Japanese aesthetic feel of Wabi Sabi to both of their works embraced with Gonzalez’s Chicana art. Every imperfection, every hand indentation and heart beat pulse that has stemmed into the molded clay is a signature of simplicity and balance. The organic cylinder vases, plates and bowls provide the textured shapes, the space to embrace a bundle of flowers, a candle or incense. This series of work by Gonzalez and YOLA carry the warm friendly gesture of two hands folded together as a festive spiritual offering towards harmony. The here and there is for Gonzalez, the artistic overlap of several generations back to the late 1870s in Mexico to the present. Her six month art residency in Japan would leave a lasting impression visible in her art and ceramics sculptures. For YOLA the creative influence would kindle during her childhood from her aunt Mague Lopez a painter of portraits, landscapes, and a pianist. The process of given shape is a ballad between heart, mind and soul. The ceramic works are modest in size yet big in heart; they extend beyond the edge of any known horizon, for they are timeless creations.

Yola 2017Yola 2017Ceramic Bowl by Yola 2017Ceramic Bowl by Yola-1Ceramic Bowl by Yolanda Gonzalez 2017Ceramic Bust by Yolanda Gonzalez, Title Chicana Japonesa IIICeramic Plate by Yolanda Gonzalez 2017Ceramic Sculptures by Yolanda Gonzalez title Chicana JaponesaCeramic vases by Yolanda Gonzalez 2017Yola Ceramic Bowl 2017

For Gonzalez working with her mother is inspirational. It is a side by side expression of respect and love to grow together and share their talents and cultural heritage. The distinctive portraits in Gonzalez’s vases of women with their hair bun style manifest confidence and assurance. The transmissions of contact in YOLA’s ceramics wrap the eye around a gentle circumference that spells organic roots.

In this exhibition both mother and daughter share the beauty of the handmade skills to deliver an antiquity Mesoamerican tradition known to carry stories and narratives. For it is no coincidence that just about every known civilization has taken clay as one of their primary source of material. Its malleable and flexible earthenware qualities speak of the particular relationship between earth and artisans. This joint body of work is receptive to multiple expressions. It is the gift of sharing pleasure that captivates.

The Here/There exhibition has tapped beyond collaborations and exchanges it has brought forth the inter-cultural Latin American/Latino continental experience extended beyond borders. The crossing of ideas and how they influence are much like clouds that inspire and help keep our intuitive spirit free in search of new horizons.

About Post Author

Jimmy Centeno

Jimmy Centeno is concluding a seconds Master Degree in Latin American Studies. He is the curator at the Jean Deleage Art Gallery, Casa0101 Theater in the community of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles CA. He is an associate member of AFYL, Association of Philosophy and Liberation. He is the founder of LAAR, Latin American Art Research. He has written for numerous online news outlets for magazines and news media websites. He’s essay ‘The Pink Colored Crosses’ was published in ‘The Creative Artistic Circumstances,’ New York Editorial publishing company, Campana. His essays on art and philosophy have been published in Mexican publications. He has taught welding technology at Compton Community College and is a self taught artist.

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