Join us Sunday afternoon to explore the work of prolific Chicana artist Yolanda Gonzalez and her focus on the intimate relationship between art and life through her paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, and prints. This panel promises to be an engaging discussion with artist Yolanda Gonzalez and her long-time muse, Marissa Gomez. Joining them will be Art Historian, Dianna Marisol Santillano; and Long-time patron Joan Agajanian Quinn; panel moderated by Independent Curator, Rio Diaz.
This event is FREE!
Yolanda González; photo by Juan Escobedo.
Yolanda Gonzalez (USA, 1964)
Yolanda Gonzalez was born into a family whose artistic heritage dates back to 1877. Her world is one of curiosity, demonstrating her love of people and their surroundings. Gonzalez’s travels in different countries, the bonds forged with individuals in those places, and the resulting transformative experiences are reflected in her art and her life.
Gonzalez studied at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design after winning a painting competition that awarded her a scholarship to the prestigious school. This led her to Self-Help Graphics, an involvement that lasted for years and resulted in her being sent to Spain and Scotland as a representative for exhibitions in those countries. Over the years, she has exhibited her works in solo and group exhibitions across the United States, throughout Europe, and in South Africa.
In 1998, she was an artist in residence in Ginza, Japan followed by a similar stint in Assisi, Italy during 1999. Among the many museums that have shown her work are the Armand Hammer Museum, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, the Japanese American National Museum and the Diego Rivera Museum in México City. Though out the years González has taught at Inner City Arts, Para Los Niños, Plaza de La Raza, Crenshaw Christian Center, MOCA and Alta Med.
Rio Diaz
Río Díaz is a multifaceted Curator and Artist with a deep passion for social representation in Public Art. Her murals adorn schools in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, and has curated exhibitions at the UCLA Powell Library, Los Angeles Mexican Consulate, The Venice Family Clinic, and The Social and Public Art Center (SPARC). Under the direction of Judy Baca, she is leading the Great Wall of Los Angeles Mural Design Team of artists, researchers, digital designers to create the 1⁄2 mile mural expansion of Baca’s iconic mural on the Tunjunga Wash. Currently on view, Rio has curated the mural’s development process at the Deitch Gallery in Hollywood. (May 20 - Aug. 12, 2023).
Dianna Marisol Santillano is a Los Angeles based art historian. She is currently a Lecturer at California State University, Los Angeles Liberal Arts department. Her writings have been published in both academic and museum publications. Her current research investigates Chicana/o photography and performative art practices from the 1970s to present and develops a performative, decolonizing pedagogy through visual culture.