Graphikasana, Visual Arts in Yoga poses. Art by Yolyanko W. Arguelles

The tree, oil pastel on cardboard, 2023

The Yoga Expo. March 18, 2023.
Fort Lauderdale, Convention Center.
10am -6pm

Asanas with black background.
Pastel on cardboard, 2023

Backends, pastel on cardboard
Art by Yolyanko William

Balance & Warrior
Oil pastel on cardboard
Art by Yolyanko William

Yoga sequence

Graphikasana. Art by Yolyanko William

The Practice of Yoga in the Work of Yolyanko William
By Rosanna Montoya

The generous amounts of asanas that Yolyanko William has rendered in these series of drawings demonstrates that symbolically speaking, the physical body can be lost in an immense sea of visual energy. This imagery of voluptuous lines and simplified figural sketches, go beyond the mere intention to give a didactic account of the practice of yoga. It only takes a few glimpses of these images to perceive the innumerable amount of physical and psychological benefits that these yoga postures offer. In the words of the ancient Yogi Pantajali, “The word asana is defined as a firm posture of the body which shows relaxation at the same time”. In this group of practical and mystical graphics, the serene quality that allows the body to be prepared for meditation is perceived in the confident and gestural line of the artist.

Yolyanko William chooses the symbolic lotus flower pose as the starting point of his body of work. From the start, the figure assuming this pose and others subsequent ones have no specific gender. Just as the soul is an ethereal entity in the realm of mystic beliefs, the figures represented by William embody a stylized anatomy associated more with incorporeal beings than with the physical body. The image of the lotus flower evolves taking other embodiments in different stages where the figure seems to adhere to a subtle mysticism. A strong gestural figure grows out of its visual matter to become more stylized. In his drawings, the essence of physical liberation, which the practice of yoga aspires to achieve, is manifested in the abstraction of the figure.

These images reflect the artist’s visual and transcendental search. The artist intuition is charged with beliefs and concepts that the practice of yoga offers a transformative process. From the moment he chooses this particular subject matter, he also chooses to face the evasive quality of the learning involved in growing with his art and in becoming stronger and more confident. As he grows in this personal practice, the images become emancipated from the formalities and the symbolism that he discovers in the process.

The result of this search is seen in many of the figures presented in a meditative immobility vulnerable to physical and spiritual growth. There is physical evolution as well, which is manifested within images that denote lines with visceral characteristics such as tendons, veins, ligaments that are intertwined or stretched out revealing part of the strenuous side of the yoga practice. Highlighting these anatomical elements confirm the necessary presence of a sturdy yoga posture to liberate the body from the psychological ties which it is subjected to. As the figure becomes more stylized, the complexity of line turns more intrinsic and an ethereal being emerges.

The being represented in the foundation phase or warrior poses, maintains the fundamental vitality of the physical body as well as the strength necessary for the practice of yoga. Here the artist uses a more neuralgic line. William’s warriors are striving to reach the light that represents the essential qualities such as courage, strength, flexibility and the ability to remove the obstacles on the way towards achieving a higher self.

In the subsequent drawings, the figure goes through a visual metamorphosis as an allegory to the different stages that the practice of yoga aspires. The application of subtle and intuitive lines keep building sequential dynamics such as the sun salutations and the balancing poses. It is a visual challenge as well as a philosophical one to maintain a balanced pattern in the way the poses move along the pages. And it is with the inventiveness of the sensibility of an artist that his hand fulfills the ultimately intention which is to transmit the divine beauty of the union between the mind and the soul of yoga and art.

Rosanna Montoya (Lima-Peru)
Writer, artist and hatha yoga instructor

The Yoga Expo South Florida 2023
Saturday, 18th March, 10:00 am
Broward County Convention Center
1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

North America's Largest Indoor Yoga Expo in South Florida 2023!
THE YOGA EXPO is a yoga-inspired conference and exhibition, offering a wide array of yoga classes and philosophy for beginners to advanced yogis, holistic health, wellness, sustainability, green technologies; including a forward thinking marketplace from small businesses to national brands. Our intention is to create a space for enrichment, build self-awareness, self-discovery and positive socialization.
THE YOGA EXPO elevates the community, offering a wide array of classes for beginners, to advanced yogis of all ages!
We’re adding a brand-new track consisting of a forward-thinking “Panel Discussion: HUMAN CO-EVOLUTION IN THE NEW ERA,” led by pioneers and leaders of change.

Balance & twist
Pastel on cardboard
Art by Yolyanko William

Backends & relaxing pose
Pastel on cardboard
Twist
Ink on cardboard
Art by Yolyanko William

Balances. Pastel on cardboard. Art by Yolyanko William

"The Lord of the Dancer" oil pastel on cardboard. Art by Yolyanko W.

graphikasana.com

Graphikasana The products of the series of Graphikasana drawings by Yolyanko William offer those who opt for yoga as a lifestyle the ideal support to represent, in different everyday objects, the poses and sequences that are most executed during the practice of hatha yoga

Yoga sequences. Art by Yolyanko William.
graphikasana.com

Yoga Calendar.
Web: graphikasana.com