Biography

Yvonne Porcella, an artist specializing in wearables and art quilts, began in 1962 by making unique garments, wall hangings and quilts. Currently her work is featured in major exhibitions, art galleries and museums. Her work is a vibrant expression of an artist who knows how to handle color with an apparently endless palette.

She hand paints fabrics to achieve a soft pastel watercolor effect and uses a variety of these fabrics to create her art. In addition to these subtle pieces, Porcella produces work that is bold and vibrant, using pure color in contrasting and synchronous relationships to convey a cumulative dynamic effect. Her work has toured in national and international shows of contemporary American quilt makers and is actively collected by individuals and corporations.

The subject of Porcella's books reflect the development of her artistic interests. FIVE ETHNIC PATTERNS was printed in 1977, followed in 1978 by a second book featuring ethnic patterns, PLUS FIVE. PIECED CLOTHING (1980) and PIECED CLOTHING VARIATIONS (1981) continue the evolution of her patterns and focus on wearable art. A COLORFUL BOOK (1986), an art book uses her work to illustrate the design and color for which she is known. COLORS CHANGING HUE (1994) teaches easy methods for fabric painting and includes patterns for projects. SIX COLOR WORLD (1997) continues the theme of fabric painting with a strong emphasis on color. YVONNE PORCELLA: ART & INSPIRATIONS published in 1998 documents her work and offers insight into her art. MAGICAL 4 PATCH & 9 PATCH was published in 2001.

Porcella is Founder and served as President of the Board of Directors of Studio Art Quilt Associates. She has taught and lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Japan. The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. acquired her quilt "Takoage" in 1994. This quilt along with 300 objects from the 15 additional Smithsonian museums was included in a national touring exhibition honoring the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian. During the 2001 Inauguration ceremonies this quilt was displayed in Washington D.C. at the Renwick Gallery located directly behind The White House. In 1998 her quilt ANSWERING THE RIDDLE was included in the 9th Invitational Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland. Also, in 1998, she was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame, in Marion, Indiana and in 1998, she was the 5th recipient of the Silver Star Award at Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas.

ABOUT THE ART QUILT:
It has been said that the concept of art can be defined as striving to reveal mankind's attempt to achieve stability in an ever changing world. Art provides society with cultural uplift in its idealization of basic values in graphic form. My personal artistic concern is to maintain balance within a unique composition while producing visually pleasurable works. A medium of cloth allows great versatility in expressing my feelings and creative ideas. My use of bold colors and original designs creates a fresh approach to contemporary art quilts. I use traditional geometric piecing within this milieu and strive for innovation and new perspective.

The formal elements found in the historical definition of the quilt are shared by all contemporary art quilt makers which provides reference and consistency in the movement. Layering of the surfaces with stitching is a common denominator of quilts although each artist presentation differs. My work features machine piecing in conjunction with hand applique and hand quilting.
ARNOLD MEETS THE PURPLE DOG features a strong geometric background with pictorial elements floating on the foreground. Since one's life is a series of evolving events, the motifs found in this quilt reflect the coming together of those events, both old and new.

HONORS & AWARDS, CURATOR, JUROR, BOARD MEMBER
2002/04 Board of Directors, International Quilt Study Center, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
2003 Outstanding Women of Stanislaus County, Visual Arts Award
2002 Excellence in Arts Award, Stanislaus Arts Council, Modesto, CA
2000 Founder's Tribute, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Santa Fe, NM
1998 Quilters Hall of Fame, 30th inductee, Marion IN
Silver Star Award, International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX
1999 Excellence in Visual Arts, Certificate of Honor, Stanislaus Arts Council, Modesto, CA
1999 The Twentieth Century's 100 Best American Quilts, Quilt Festival, Houston, TX
1999 One of the featured artists included in the one hour documentary "America Quilts" produced by Wisconsin Public Television.
1999 Curator: "Comments on America's 20th Century" exhibition with catalog, Connell Gallery, Atlanta, GA
1999 Curator: "Art Quilts of the 20th Century", Quilt Market/Quilt Festival, Houston, TX
1999 Juror for "Hanging By A Thread" biennial exhibition held at Old Main Gallery, Univ. of No. Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ
1997/04 Board of Directors, The Alliance for American Quilts, Louisville, KY
2001/03 Executive Board, Secretary, The Alliance for American Quilts, Louisville, KY
1989 Curator "Americana Enshrined" exhibition with catalog, Great American Gallery, Atlanta, GA
1989/00 Founding Member and President Board of Directors, Studio Art Quilt Associates, Dexter, OR
Juror:1982-to-2002
Pacific Northwest Quiltfest, Seattle, WA
Hanging By A Thread, Old Main Gallery, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Quilt National 1989, Athens, OH; IQA Members exhibition,
Quilt Festival, Houston, TX;
Marin County, CA Quilt Exhibition; Santa Rosa Quilt Exhibition, Santa Rosa, CA;
"Emerging Artists" Museum of Quilts and Textiles, San Jose, CA

For more information, download Yvonne's: Bio (1 page), CV (36 pages), Resume (4 pages)