Expo Chicago 25
CONTRAST Section Booth 201
The gallery will present at Expo Chicago 2025 a dialogue between two female artists.
Mexican sculptor Paula Cortazar (Monterrey, Mexico 1991) and French textile artist Isabelle D (France, 1966).
Paula Cortazar, lives and works in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, is an artist known for her intricate sculptures that explore the interplay between nature and human intervention.
Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in a profound connection with the natural world, often utilizing materials like found river stones, alabaster or Marble from Monterrey. Through meticulous carving and engraving, she transforms these elements into evocative sculptures that reflect on themes of natural scars (erosion), memory, and the passage of time.
Isabelle D, is an artist whose abstract landscapes delve into themes of memory, heritage, and personal identity. Her work serves as a means to decolonize her past and reclaim the present, transforming trauma into beauty.
Similar to Cortazar, who engages deeply with natural materials to explore the relationship between humanity and nature, Isabelle D‘s artistic practice is rooted in a profound connection to her personal history and the broader human experience. She carefully selects her color palette to mirror the stages of a bruise—from purples to blues to greens to yellows—symbolizing the healing process and the transformation of pain into beauty.
Her recent works, though coral-like in appearance, are abstracted landscapes addressing the impacts of colonization. These pieces invite viewers to reflect on the scars of history and the resilience of the human spirit. Unlike many contemporary artists, Isabelle D meticulously produces every little piece herself, ensuring that each creation carries her personal touch and intention.
Together, their works create a important dialogue on memory, transformation, the enduring traces of history and time.
April 25, 26 | 11:00am – 7:00pm
April 27 | 11:00am – 6:00pm
Navy Pier Festival Hall, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60611