CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery (WMG) proudly presents its 27th International Open, a juried exhibition showcasing work in all media by women and non-binary artists from around the world. Juror Nirmal Raja invited works that explore and push conceptual and material boundaries. Featuring 41 artists, the exhibition spans an exciting range of mediums and includes artists from across the United States, along with Canada, Europe, and Hong Kong.
“The most fascinating aspect of an open themed exhibition like this is that it becomes a reflection of the zeitgeist. It has been an absolute pleasure to embark on a visual feast while looking at the submissions. A theme around the countless aspects connected to the body slowly coalesced as I reviewed the art. Most of the work in this exhibition articulates how the body is a site for exploring myriad themes- transience, subjectivity, identity, sexuality, pain, beauty, decay, bondage and more. It is not surprising that in this political moment of vulnerability as a nation highlighted by the fragility of the self, the body becomes a site for expression. These artists push the boundaries of materials and concepts, thoughtfully mirroring the corporeal and also the liminal in innovative and powerful ways. Thank you for the privilege of thinking about this work.” -Nirmal Raja
Exhibition Events
The exhibition opens with a reception at Woman Made Gallery, 1332 S. Halsted St. in Chicago, on Saturday, February 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. Current gallery hours are Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
The Closing Reception includes an Artist Walkthrough on Saturday, March 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., offering a final opportunity to meet the participating artists in person. Events at WMG are free and open to the public.
Exhibiting Artists: Katalina Barrera, Shweta Bist, Lauren Petrick Brooks, Amy Cannestra, Julie Carcione, Marcy Chevali, Shannon Cleere, Isabella Covert, Geornica Daniels, Jenie Gao, Lilly Handley, Fion C. Y. Hung, Andrea Jablonski, Natalie Jackson, Indira Freitas Johnson, Jori Jori, Kanishka, Yuliya Klochan, Ling-lin Ku, Xinchen Li, Lue LIKETHEHIGHWAY Khoury, Kimberly Lyle, Valerie Mann, Asia Mathis, Caroline McAuliffe, Kiki McGrath, Naomi Middelmann, Kim Miller, Rebecca Oehler, Gina Lee Robbins, Emma Scarafiotti, Sandrine Schaefer, Andrea Seguraz, Rahimat Onize Shaibu, Meg Stein, Stevia Roxanne, Jessica Swank, Yidi Wang, Lydia Wickham, Isabel Zeng, Sihan Zhang
27th International Open Awards: First Prize –Ling-lin Ku; Second Prize – Sihan Zhang; Third Prize: Shannon Cleere; Honorable Mention – Rahimat Onize Shaibu and Isabel Zeng. Congratulations!
About the Juror: Nirmal Raja holds a BA in English Literature from St. Francis College in Hyderabad, India, a BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was named “Graduate of the Decade” by UW–Milwaukee. Other honors include the 2020 Mary L. Nohl Fellowship for Individual Artists and the 2022 Mildred L. Harpole Artists of the Year Award from the Milwaukee Arts Board.
Raja has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions regionally, nationally, and internationally. She has participated in residencies at MASS MoCA, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Arts/Industry Residency at Kohler, among others. A collaborator by nature, she often works with other artists and curates exhibitions that bring together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
At the core of her practice is a compelling refusal to be defined by others. She is committed to letting curiosity and experimentation guide her path. Her work revolves around understanding the impact of migration on women, the weight of cultural responsibilities placed on women while traversing geographic boundaries, and material culture as a witness and testament to these memories.
Raja is a member of the Boston Sculptors Gallery and is represented in Milwaukee by the Portrait Society Gallery.
27th International Press Release
SEE THE WORK PURCHASE WORKGallery Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12–5 PM | WMG is closed between exhibitions.
Please Donate: http://womanmade.org/donate
Woman Made Gallery | http://womanmade.org | 312-738-0400 | general@womanmade.org
1332 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607 | Street parking nearby
Statement on Organizational Neutrality
As a registered Illinois 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Woman Made Gallery is committed to its mission of supporting women and non-binary artists through inclusive and equitable programming. To maintain trust, legal compliance, and alignment with its values, WMG does not endorse or oppose political candidates or parties and refrains from promoting personal ideological or religious beliefs. All exhibitions, partnerships, and communications are guided by the gallery’s mission, with a focus on artistic merit, diversity of perspective, and respectful dialogue. Staff, board members, and affiliates are expected to distinguish personal opinions from organizational positions and to use WMG’s platform solely in service of its mission.
Thank You
Woman Made Gallery is supported in part by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Puffin Foundation; a major anonymous donor; and the generosity of its members and contributors.
