Artist Statement
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If one could see the depth and complexity of a woman plainly on her surface, would we see beauty? Would we see their scars, if we look closely enough? I let each woman tell her story through my hands.
My work is about women’s struggle to find emotional balance, which I depict using texture, expression, attitude and gesture. While every woman has strength, compassion, and an incalculable ability to endure, we also have complex roles of mother, lover, sister, friend, or wife, where our arguably weaker sex is continually called upon to put others before ourselves. BiographyNancy Pirri was born in Brooklyn, New York and currently lives in Chicago, IL. She has dabbled in every art form since childhood, discovering clay to be her true passion in 1996. She has won awards from the Beverly Arts Center and the Rockford Art Museum, including work published in ‘500 Figures in Clay’ V2. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including Sofa Expo in Chicago representing women's right's anniversaries, acquiring collectors from all over the world. She’s been with numerous galleries in the Midwest including Alma Art & Interiors and Inner Haven Gallery.
Studio: Lillstreet Art Center @ 4401 N. Ravenswood in Chicago, No Number Studio - second floor. Gallery Representation: Inner Haven Gallery • Grayslake, IL - Oct. 2022-Jan. 2023 Alma Art & Interiors • Chicago, IL - 2022 Contact me for a studio visit! |
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Introduction Video of Nancy and her work
| Nancy Intro Video |
Inspired Interiors commissioned Nancy Pirri for a custom piece of artwork for a client's home. Nancy's ability to interpret information and create a piece that embodied the client's desires and our exact directions was incredible. Not only was the piece highly detailed, but it was moving and spiritual as well. We would absolutely commission her again and highly recommend!
- Emily Mackie - Inspired Interiors
Education
Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL ~ 1996-Present
Gesture in Wax ~ Jack Kreutzer ~ Brookgreen Gardens ~ Murrels Inlet, SC ~ May, 2009
The Richard MacDonald Workshop Series ~ Monterey, CA ~ October, 2002
American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL ~ 1985-1987
BA, University of Iowa, Studio Art, Iowa City, IA ~ 1985 Graduate
Gesture in Wax ~ Jack Kreutzer ~ Brookgreen Gardens ~ Murrels Inlet, SC ~ May, 2009
The Richard MacDonald Workshop Series ~ Monterey, CA ~ October, 2002
American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL ~ 1985-1987
BA, University of Iowa, Studio Art, Iowa City, IA ~ 1985 Graduate
Gallery Representation
Alma Art & Interiors • Chicago, IL - 2022
Inner Haven Gallery • Grayslake, IL - Oct. 2022-Jan. 2023
Just b (formerly Studio b) • Three Oaks, Michigan - 2004 - 2019
Inner Haven Gallery • Grayslake, IL - Oct. 2022-Jan. 2023
Just b (formerly Studio b) • Three Oaks, Michigan - 2004 - 2019
Awards
- Alice & Arthur Baer Award - Beverly Arts Center 47th Annual Competition & Exhibition ~ Beverly, IL - May 2024
- 3-Dimensional Cash Award - Beverly Arts Center 39th Annual Competition & Exhibition ~ Beverly, IL - Nov. 2015-Jan. 2016
- 4th Place ~ Juried National Online Contest ~ Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series ~ 2013
- Best in Show ~ ‘Form & Unfunction’ ~ Juried National Ceramics Exhibition ~ LaLa Gallery ~ Lafayette, IN ~ July, 2010
- Honorable Mention Award ~ “Arabella” ~ 'Rockford Midwestern' ~ Biennial Juried Competition ~ Rockford Art Museum ~ Rockford, IL ~ January-April, 2010
- ‘Contributions to the Art Community of Chicago’ ~ Friends of the Arts ~ April, 2006
Publications
- ‘500 Figures in Clay' - V2 - Juried Submission - Lark Books, 2014
Solo Exhibitions
- 'Eight works by Nancy Pirri' - The Cliff Dwellers Club - Chicago, IL - June/July 2016
- ‘Contour’ ~ Natural Elements Salon ~ Chicago, IL ~ May, 2012
- ‘Reflection’ ~ LaLa Gallery ~ Lafayette, IN ~ July, 2011
- Juvenesse Spa ~ Grand Opening ~ Chicago, IL ~ September-October, 2008
- The Bottle Shop ~ Wilmette, IL ~ January-February, 2008
- ‘Art Straight Up’ ~ Chicago, IL ~ September, 2005
- Giostra for the Home ~ Chicago, IL ~ September, 2002
Memberships
- Chicago Sculpture International - 2024
- Lillstreet Art Center - 1996-Present - Chicago, IL
- 218ac ~ Pulcheria Arte, Piacenza, Italy www.218ac.it
- Babele Art World Artists www.babelearte.net
Group Exhibitions
- "Go Figure" - 2-person Exhibit - Oliva Gallery - Chicago, IL - Dec. 2023-Jan. 2024
- Alma Art & Interiors Group Exhibit - Chicago, IL - Jan.-Mar. 2023
- Inner Haven - Open House - Grayslake, IL - Nov.-Mar. 2023
- Lillstreet Annual Holiday Show - Lillstreet Studios - Chicago, IL - Dec. 2, 2022
- Alma Art & Interiors Group Exhibit - Chicago, IL - Nov. 2022-Jan. 2023
- Small Scale Sculpture Survey Part II – Addington Gallery – Chicago, IL – Sept-Oct., 2022
- Nasty Women Evanston Fundraiser – 1100 Florence – Evanston, IL – August, 2022
- Avec River North – 2-person Exhibit – Chicago, IL – August 2022
- "Threaded Together" - Alma Art & Interiors - Chicago, IL - May-August, 2022
- "56 Milwaukee" - Oliva Gallery - Chicago, IL - March, 2022
- "Metal Meets Clay" - 2-Person Exhibit - Arc Academy - Chicago, IL - Oct.-Nov. 2021/closing May 2022
- West Town Art Walk - Arc Academy - Chicago, IL - Sept. 2021
- "One Cancer Patient" - DANK Haus - Chicago, IL - May 2021
- ”Paint Posture Power” - Gallery Studio Oh! - Chicago, IL - March 2021
- "All in the Same Boat" - Art of 2020 - Stola Contemporary - Chicago, IL - July 2020
- "Suffra-jetting" - Woman Made Gallery - Chicago, IL - March-April 2020
- Lillstreet 44th Annual Holiday Show - Lillstreet Studios - Chicago, IL - December 2019
- SOFA EXPO 2019 - 'My Choice' exhibiting with Inspired Interiors, Inc. - Chicago, IL - November 2019
- 'Nasty Women' Chicago - September 2019
- Ravenswood Art Walk - Open Studio - Lillstreet Art Center - Chicago, IL - September 2019
- 'Sunshine in the Toxic Ballroom' - Jazz Performance - The Rhythm Arts Center - Chicago, IL - January 2019
- 'Privates' - Studio Oh! - Chicago, IL - April-May 2018
- 'Connections' - State Street Gallery - Robert Morris College - Chicago, IL - Oct.-Dec. 2017
- 'clay, body' - Circle Line Gallery - Bridgeport Arts Center - Chicago, IL - May-July 2017
- 'Dear Ladies...' - Groshek Gallery - Chicago, IL - April 2017
- Midwest Clay Guild - Holiday Show - Guest Artist - Evanston, IL - Dec. 2016
- Beverly Arts Center 39th Annual Competition - 3-Dimension Cash Award - Beverly, IL - Nov. 2015-Jan. 2016
- Midwest Clay Guild - Holiday Show - Guest Artist - Evanston, IL - Dec. 2015
- 'unchARTed' - Motor Row Gallery - Chicago, IL - June 2015
- ‘More Figures From Life’ ~ Lillstreet Loft ~ Chicago, IL ~ March 2015
- 'Synergy II' - Morpho Galllery - Chicago, IL - Dec. 2014
- 4Art Inc. - Zhou b Art Center ~ Nov./Dec./Jan. 2015
- ‘10th Anniversary ~ Studio b Gallery ~ Three Oaks, MI ~ Oct. 2014
- Lillstreet Annual Member Show~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2014
- 'Ceramic Artists Throw & Build' ~ Skylight Gallery, Governor's State Univ. ~ University Park, IL ~ Aug-Oct. 2014
- 'Mud People' ~ 4 Art Inc., Zhou b Art Center ~ Chicago, IL ~ July 2014
- Thomas Joyner Foundation ‘Fantastic Voyage’ ~ Gallery Guichard ~ Jamaica ~ Mar. 2014
- ‘Figures From Life’ ~ Lillstreet Loft ~ Chicago, IL ~ February 2014
- 5th Annual ‘Holiday Show’ ~ Private Home ~ Chicago, IL ~ Dec. 2013
- Heartland Alliance ‘The Art of Human Rights’ ~ Palette & Chisel ~ Oct. 2013
- ‘Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series' – Semi-Finalist~ Gallery Guichard ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2013
- 'OMG It's Full of Stars' ~ Chicago, IL ~ June 2013
- ‘Organic Synergy’ ~ Morpho Gallery ~ Chicago, IL ~ June 2012
- ‘Get Small’ ~ 4Art Inc. ~ Zhou B Art Center ~ Chicago, IL ~ May, 2013
- Thomas Joyner Foundation ‘Fantastic Voyage’ ~ Gallery Guichard ~ Jamaica ~ March 2013
- ‘Bronzeville Holiday Mixer’ ~ Gallery Guichard ~ Chicago, IL ~ Dec. 2012
- 4th Annual ‘Holiday Show’ ~ Private Home ~ Chicago, IL ~ Dec. 2012
- ‘Lillstreet Annual Member Show’ ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2012
- ‘Bustes en Rose’ Exhibition ~ Juried Benefit for Breast Cancer ~ 4Art Inc. ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2012
- ‘Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series – Semi-Finalist ~ Gallery Guichard ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2012
- Satellite Exhibit ‘The Art of Human Rights’ ~ Hand-Selected ~ ZIA Gallery ~ Winnetka, IL ~ Aug. 2012
- ‘Anatomy of Thought’ ~ Flourish Studios - Chicago, IL ~ Aug. 2012
- Heartland Alliance ‘The Art of Human Rights’ ~ Hand-Selected ~ Coalition Gallery ~ March 2012
- 3rd Annual ‘Holiday Show’ ~ Private Home ~ Chicago, IL ~ Dec. 2011
- ‘Lillstreet Annual Member Show’ ~ Juried ~ Lillstreet Gallery ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2011
- 'Blast' ~ Beverly Arts Center ~ w/Erik Debat/Peter Mars ~ Chicago, IL ~ Sept. 2011
- ‘Season Opening’ ~ Studio b Gallery ~ Season 7 ~ Three Oaks, Michigan ~ April-Dec. 2011
- 2nd Annual ‘Holiday Show’ ~ Private Home ~ Chicago, IL ~ Dec. 2010
- ‘Lillstreet Annual Member Show’ ~ Juried ~ Lillstreet Gallery ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2010
- Evanston Lake Shore Art Festival ~ Juried ~ Evanston, IL ~ Aug. 2010
- ‘Form and Unfunction’ ~ Juried National Ceramics Exhibition ~ LaLa Gallery ~ Lafayette, IN ~ July 2010
- ‘Take Flight’ ~ Studio b Gallery ~ Season 6 ~ Three Oaks, Michigan ~ April-Dec. 2010
- 'One Inspired Evening' ~ Juried Auction/Charity event ~ Chicago, IL ~ March 2010
- 'Coffee Shop Show' ~ Lincoln Perk ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2010
Charity Events & Donations
- 'Nasty Women' Art Chicago Exhibition - Chicago, IL - September, 2019
- 'Nasty Women' Art Chicago Exhibition - Chicago, IL - May, 2017
- Art on Elm - Hinsdale, IL - Nov. 2016
- Thomas Joyner Foundation ‘Fantastic Voyage’ ~ Gallery Guichard ~ Jamaica ~ Mar. 2014
- 'One Inspired Evening' ~ Auction ~ Inspiration Corporation ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2013
- Thomas Joyner Foundation ‘Fantastic Voyage’ ~ Gallery Guichard ~ Jamaica ~ March 2013
- Art of Human Rights ~ Palette & Chisel ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2013
- ‘Bustes en Rose’ Exhibition ~ Juried Benefit for Breast Cancer Awareness ~ 4Art Inc. ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2012
- Art of Human Rights ~ ZIA Gallery ~ Hand-Selected ~ Charity event ~ Chicago, IL ~ Aug. 2012
- Art of Human Rights ~ Coalition Gallery ~ Hand-Selected ~ Charity event ~ Chicago, IL ~ Mar. 2012
- Art of Human Rights ~ Gruen Galleries ~ Charity event ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2011
- 'One Inspired Evening' ~ Juried Auction/Charity event ~ Inspiration Corporation ~ Chicago, IL ~ March 2010
- Art of Human Rights ~ Heartland Alliance ~ Juried Charity event ~ River East Art Ctr. ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2010
- Gallery 180 ~ The Art of Human Rights Juried Group Show ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2010
- The Final Feliz Foundation ~ Chicago, IL ~ Nov. 2009
- Medical Research Junior Board Foundation (MRJBF) ~ Art Benefiting Children Event ~ April 2009
- Art Against Aids ~ River East Art Center ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2009
- Blue Sky Inn Fundraiser ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2008
- Obama Fundraiser ~ Perfect Pear Gallery ~ Chicago, IL ~ Aug. 2008
- Artists for Harmony ~ Suite Lounge ~ Chicago, IL ~ Aug. 2008
- Art Against Aids ~ River East Art Center ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2008
- Art Against Aids Preview Exhibition ~ Juried ~ Gallery 180 ~ Chicago, IL ~ Jan.-Feb. 2008
- Empty Bowls Project ~ Lillstreet Art center ~ Chicago, IL ~ Dec. 2007
- Make-a-Wish Foundation ~ Sage Restaurant ~ Chicago, IL ~ Oct. 2007
- Columbia College ~ Scholarship Benefit ~ Chicago, IL ~ July 2007
- Rock For Kids ~ Chicago, IL ~ April 2005/April 2006
- Hurricane Katrina Benefit for Relief Efforts ~ Studio b Gallery ~ Three Oaks, MI ~ Oct. 2005
- Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization ~ May 2005
- Art Against Aids ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb. 2005
Symposiums
- 'Human Form' Symposium ~ Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts ~ Gatlinburg, TN ~ Sept. 2014
- Guest Speaker: Marketing Your Art in Today’s Economy ~ Lillstreet Art Center ~ Chicago, IL ~ Mar., 2009
- Guest Speaker: Finding the Color Green - Marketing Your Art in Today’s Economy ~ Wishbone ~ Chicago, IL ~ Feb., 2009
