Who Is Yvonne Wells
Yvonne Wells is an 86-year-old American quilter and textile artist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She began quilting in 1979, first out of necessity, reusing family clothing, before turning quilts into powerful storytelling works. Over the decades, Wells has created more than 900 quilts, each one expressing personal memories, cultural icons and emotional narratives. Often described as a folk or story quilter, Wells works entirely from instinct, without patterns, letting the fabric guide the story.
Her Art
Wells’ quilts are bold, playful and deeply personal. She uses appliqué techniques, layered fabrics and strong colour choices to tell stories that she says she can “feel in her hand” as she stitches. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, pop culture and history, her work blends humour, memory and social commentary. Her quilts have gained international recognition for their originality and emotional depth.
The Michael Jackson Quilt
One of the most striking works in Yvonne Wells’ movie-stars quilt series is her quilt dedicated to Michael Jackson. In it, MJ is captured mid-moonwalk, instantly recognisable to fans. Wells adds deeper meaning by placing Michael’s parents on either side of him, reflecting his close bond with his mother and complicated relationship with his father. Surrounding him are children of the world, symbolising Jackson’s global message of unity and innocence. The quilt is made using personal clothing and found fabrics, making it both intimate and powerful.
Exhibition Details
Yvonne Wells’ work will be shown as part of a solo presentation with Fort Gansevoort at Frieze Los Angeles 2026, featuring her celebrated movie-stars quilt series alongside a new quilt inspired by the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Frieze Los Angeles 2026
Santa Monica Airport, Los Angeles
26 February – 1 March 2026
Frieze website
EYES ON: Niall Shukla / Kew / Emma Jayne Morris / Mike Ham / Judit Czethoffer / John Hill / Cesar Menchaca / Adnan Lotia / Terry Wolfinger / Studio Kubensis / Samuk Arts / Pedro Juan Rabal Redondo / Christiane Altzweig / JMG / Rachel Shuttleworth / Vichy’s art / Kärter AI Artz / Luojiang / Martin Senkubuge / Jan Phillip Lehmker / Alton Mason / Victoria Bishop / Donico Allen / Kelly Inouye / Nashid Chroma / Lyubov Phillipson / Nathan Hernandez / Alex Ivanchak / Flintbricksproduction & Yerr Studios / Robert Sgarra / Lu Lu / Brothers Rajwinder Singh Sidhu and Gurwinder Singh Sidhu / Steve Birnbaum / Adnan Lotia / Kyès / Patrice Murciano / Manuel Díaz Domingo / Ard Gelinck / Nicole Miller / LaMarina Art / Reagan Corbett / David Ngwerume / DUANE SHOOTS TOYS / Jorge Ávila / Laurence M White / Bradley Hart / Pablo Lobato / D43 / Simone Dell’Aglio / Mockstars / Jerome Bourgeot / Georgia Duhh / Guillaume Nicollet / Yann Dalon / MIDICHI / DDA/ Marcus White
