Yolanda Sanchez Celebrates the Body in a Recent Work

My work celebrates the body, its rhythms and dance, through color and its relationships. The inspiration and title of this piece comes from a book of maxims by Uruguayan poet, Eduardo Galeano, in which he challenges the depreciative cultural views of our bodies. 

“My Body Is a Fiesta”

60 x 40 inches; silk organza, thread

Bojagi-inspired construction; 2020

 

Yolanda Sanchez Values the Remnant

The shape of With a Full Heart was inspired by an image of a Korean ceremonial garment, known as a “wonsam.” The wide, outstretched sleeves provided many associations for me – medieval triptych altarpieces, strong arms that are ready to protect and envelop, even something that is ready to fly! All spiritual, nourishing images that inspire the heart. I think of this work as an offering, imparting joy and love. The work is completely made of strips of silk fabric leftover from previous Bojagi projects, thus remaining true to the concept of reuse and conservation. Bojagi has reminded me to value the remnant.

Yolanda Sánchez, With a Full Heart, 2016, silk remnants, thread, studio view; 52 x 32 inches, exhibited at the Korea Bojagi Forum, Bojagi: The Living Tradition, Suwon/Hwaseong Museum, Suwon, South Korea

 

A Communion of Cultures by Yolanda Sanchez

My first large-scale Bojagi work, Communion, was an outdoor installation piece created for the Suwon Hwaseong International Theatre and Arts Festival in Suwon, South Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

I called the work Communion as I felt I was joining Korean culture with my own. As it united physically, it united spiritually. As a Cuban-American exhibiting work in Korea, I felt suddenly that the world was much closer to me.

Communion, partial view

Yolanda Sánchez, Communion, 2011, installation at the Suwon Hwaseong International Theatre and Arts Festival in Suwon, South Korea