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Yvonne Pedretti (EAST member 1997-2010)
Yvonne lived most of her life in Southend on Sea, Essex and this was often reflected in her work. She trained initially in jewellery at Birmingham Art College and later in textiles at Goldsmiths College, England. She became a full time artist and teacher in 1995 when she was made redundant from a city job and took the opportunity to pursue a career change in her passion for textiles.
She has exhibited widely in Britain and internationally through her membership of EAST, Textile Expressions and by invitation.
Throughout her career Yvonne was fascinated by notions of transparency and translucency, and how materials, even those seemingly opaque, can be used to transmit and reflect light. Her wall and sculptural pieces are formed through machine stitch, knit, crochet and weave.
In 2008 Yvonne said "They are a response to my lifelong passion for the sea. These strands are used to symbolise the overwhelming and unfathomed nature of life and the environment."
In 2008 all the EAST artists were asked various questions for the EAST 13 CD that was produced for that exhibition. From this we learnt of her love of Essex or Suffolk marshes, India, the works of Jane Austen (Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice) and the Jean Nouvelle's Museum, L'Institute Arabes, in Paris; ("the transparency, reflections, glass to the point of disorientation"). We also learnt of her interest in Abraham Ben Yiju, a 10th century merchant/adventurer. Yvonne also had a great love of music and said her favourite pieces were Prokofiev's first and second violin concertos ("etheral, transparent sound") and Quartet for the End of Time by Messiaen; ("poignant, even heart rending when considering it's context".)
Yvonne and Ruth Issett at an EAST workshop - April 2009
 
Janette and Yvonne EAST's 13th birthday
"It seems so unreal that Yvonne is no longer with us but I realise as I write this that even though she may not be physically here – her presence is everywhere.
Yvonne was not someone who made a lot of noise but she certainly made a lot of impact.
I was fortunate to have more than one association with Yvonne. For many years I was the External Verifier at Southend College for some of their art and craft subjects. Yvonne, in her post as learning area coordinator, was my point of contact. You did not have to be in the College for many minutes before you realised Yvonne was clearly a force to be reckoned with. Everyone from the canteen staff to the students and tutors knew who she was. We sometimes had a quiet laugh if something did not go quite to plan but it was clear Yvonne held it all together. Her commitment to her job was more than anyone could ever match. Her enthusiasm for learning and learners was an inspiration to many.
On many occasions with EAST, Yvonne has in her own quiet way influenced and guided us and together with Julie and Trisha amongst us, she will be greatly missed but not forgotten."
Melinda Berkovitz
"Yvonne has always been one of the quieter members of the group, and I probably had my longest conversations with her when it was just the two of us together - stewarding at Snape and visiting one of the galleries at one of the Knitting and Stitching Shows on London. I was always struck by how Yvonne seemed to know something of everything - never the mundane and the ordinary but always something a little bit unusual. She always seemed to have a different viewpoint, which I found inspiring. I definitely feel she is one of those people who have had an impact on my life and definitely not to be forgotten."
Janette Bright
"I first met Yvonne when I joined EAST in 1998 – I think Yvonne had joined a year or two before me – and she made me feel very welcome and immediately part of the group. She was always supportive and encouraging, willing to give advice and very generous. I will miss her very much, as will Don, who loved Yvonne’s and Margaret’s company too. I greatly admired her work which was always an important part of our exhibitions. For me she will always be a part of EAST and I can’t believe she has gone."
Libby and Don Smith
Yvonne You always knew where I could get the obscure materials that I needed for my work, your own work was soooo beautiful such talent and ingenuity, I think that you must have been the pioneer of the "what if" technique!!
Happy memories.
June Carroll
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