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From 1993 to 1995, upon her return from a months-long Artist-in-Residency program in Japan, Yolanda Gonzalez created her dramatically experimental series, Metamorphosis. Introduced to the dogmatic concepts of Japanese aesthetics such as Wabi-sabi and, a key tenet of Zen Buddhism mu by printmakers, Gonzalez was transfixed by the simplicity and intensity of monochromatic materials used to express a range of ideas and emotions.

What would happen if you took away the color of a Chicana artist? Gonzalez asked herself.

The artist experienced the removal of color in her life literally and metaphorically. Her return from Japan coincided with the passing of a dear friend, Cella Coffin, the artist, artists model, and poet, whose death Yolanda says also brought about a death of self.

So she began her large Metamorphosis series: stark monochromatic paintings that can be viewed in any orientation, as they were created while their surfaces were twirled in varying directions. The spinning signifying the spiral of loss felt by the artist. Expressionistic in style, these paintings convey the depth and complexities incited by love, loss, anger, grief, and acceptance.

In 2020, Gonzalez began a new series, Metamorphosis II, to honor and reflect on her mother, Yolanda Lopez Gonzalez, passing away taking away another part of herself, but leaving her with all the consejos (pieces of advice) her mother gave her throughout her life, including, Cuidate como me cuidavas a mi (Take care of yourself like you took care of me.).

The works in Metamorphosis and Metamorphosis II reflect the artists transformation and reinvention of herself both in body and soul. Void of any bright colors or figurative representation, they are raw, visceral expressions of Gonzalezs soul.