In honor of Woman’s History Month, we are highlighting some of the work acquired by the Escalette Collection of Art this year as part of the Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on the Significance of Race Initiative.

Olé by artist June Edmonds is an explosion of color and texture, full of movement and passion. The painting seems to rotate in kaleidoscopic motion, the thickly layered paint almost oozing off the canvas. Her abstract color works are inspired by quilts and other vibrant textiles, such as African fabrics.

Edmonds is an L.A.-based artist who uses abstract painting to explore how color, pattern, movement, and balance can channel spiritual contemplation and foster interpersonal connections to her African-American roots. She recently spoke at Chapman as part of the Visual Thinker’s Lecture Series, hosted by the Art Department (watch the recording here). Edmonds was always interested in art growing up. After a trip to the art museums in Washington D.C., she decided to pursue Art at San Diego State and an M.F.A. in Painting at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia.

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