Bio

Yolanda Ward is an award-winning paper collage artist whose work echo’s themes drawn from Black History and culture. Viewed from a distance, her images appear to be paintings. However, upon closer inspection, they are “painted” with tiny pieces of paper in a laborious process that
starts with the fabrication of handmade papers, as well as sourcing vintage paper from around the world.

Prior to embracing collage, Ward served as art and creative director of a Fortune 500 Company where she traveled widely and worked with major museums. After studying at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia College of Art and receiving her certification in print production, Ward attended paper-making workshops at Abington Art Center and attended Arcadia University in Philadelphia. Later, she studied with a master paper maker in Umbria, Italy. Ward makes some of her own paper which she combines with sourced papers to form the foundation for her images. She then adds other mediums and techniques, including inks, acrylic paint, printmaking, hand- tearing and layering the paper to form visually stunning, highly textured images.

Ward’s work has appeared in juried exhibitions and received Honorable Mention Award at Woodmere Art Museum’s Annual Show, Abington Art Center’s Paper Arts Award and a Black Music City Grant in Philadelphia. She has also participated in sold-out, regional shows. Yolanda’s work is currently represented by E&S Gallery in Louisville Kentucky.