YoYo Lander Portraits Complex Human Experiences Through Collage, Made With Individually Stained Pieces Of Watercolor Paper

YoYo Lander is a contemporary American artist whose evocative collage work celebrates her subjects’ beauty, strength, and vulnerability, particularly Black individuals. Based in Los Angeles, Lander’s approach to art is deeply intuitive, seeking to capture the unguarded, human moments that reveal the true essence of her subjects. “My art explores the essence of humanity,” she explains, emphasizing how body language becomes an essential entry point into her portraits. Rather than choosing her subjects based on a predetermined concept, Lander follows her instincts, allowing emotion and feeling to guide her selection.

Her distinctive technique involves taking multiple photographs of her subjects from various angles and poses. She then meticulously combines these perspectives into singular, expressive compositions. The heart of Lander’s work lies in the layering of hand-stained watercolor paper, which she cuts and arranges into intricate, multidimensional collages. Each layer of paper adds texture, depth, and tone to the piece, contributing to the lifelike quality of her figures. This process of staining the paper allows for organic, flowing transitions between colors, creating a sense of fluidity and emotional resonance within her work. Lander notes that, despite her initial focus on defined composition and color schemes, the final piece rarely resembles her original vision. Instead, the artwork evolves through layering and placement, resulting in a composition that speaks to both the physical and emotional complexity of her subjects.

Redefining the Black experience through art

Lander’s work is deeply rooted in her desire to redefine the common narratives around the Black experience in contemporary art. Many depictions of Black individuals in the art world emphasize trauma, oppression, or struggle, which, while incredibly important, often portray only one side of the story. Lander believes that this narrow focus fails to capture the fullness of Black life. “The Black experience is not monolithic.… Joy always overcomes pain,” she asserts. Through her art, she offers a broader narrative, celebrating not just resilience, but also beauty, tenderness, and joy.

This thematic richness is evident in her ongoing series, 100 Women, where Lander aims to portray the individuality and complexity of each woman she meets. Although initially conceived as a portrait series, the project has evolved into a broader exploration of humanity. The women in her collages are depicted in thoughtful, reflective poses, often with subtle body language that conveys emotional depth. By highlighting these introspective moments, Lander captures the vulnerability of her subjects in a way that challenges stereotypes and celebrates the richness of their lived experiences. Her careful layering technique adds dimension and texture to these portraits, inviting viewers to look closer and appreciate the intricate emotions present in each work.

Becoming a global voice in an important conversation within the contemporary art world

In addition to her thematic focus, YoYo Lander’s technical mastery and innovative approach to collage art have earned her recognition on a global scale. Her work has been exhibited in major cities as New York, Los Angeles, Stockholm, and Basel, and she has received prestigious commissions from renowned institutions, including Beth Rudin DeWoody’s Bunker Art Space, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, and even Kamala Harris’s Washington, D.C. office in 2017. These opportunities have allowed her to share her artistic vision with diverse audiences and expand her impact within the contemporary art world.

Lander’s unique artistic voice contributes meaningfully to the ongoing discourse surrounding identity, representation, and the Black experience in art. By capturing the humanity, beauty, and complexity of her subjects, she challenges reductive portrayals of Black individuals and offers a refreshingly nuanced perspective. Whether through her expressive use of watercolor or her celebration of the quiet, introspective moments of her subjects, Lander’s work invites viewers to see the world through a lens of empathy, vulnerability, and strength. As she continues to evolve her practice, YoYo Lander’s art remains a powerful reflection of the broader human experience.

Enjoy some of the artist’s beautiful work below and – while we wait to be lucky enough to visit a city or institution that houses the artist’s work – you can follow Lander on Instagram for more information.