Abiotic – Group Exhibition at Evoke Gallery

Evoke Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Chicago, is proud to present Abiotic, a group exhibition opening September 13th.

Your little world matters.

Yani He, Inside and Outside

Abiotic brings together diverse artists to explore the unseen objects, environments, and rituals that shape personal ecosystems. In a time of political chaos and collective fatigue, the exhibition asks what sustains us, revealing how non-living elements, from familiar spaces to everyday objects, hold meaning in our lives.

As one of Chicago’s emerging art galleries, Evoke continues to highlight contemporary voices and offer thought-provoking exhibitions that connect community, culture, and creativity.

RSVP HERE

"I want to invite viewers to confront the uncanny in everyday objects and environments and question the certainties they hold."

- Yani He

Each work in Abiotic emerges from an artist’s personal ecosystem, offering artifacts of routine, intimacy, and imagination

Featuring:

Anwar Mahdi

(@boi_venus)

Anna Rafalowski (@biedronka_dla_ania)

Day Brièrre

(@biomorphia)

Isaiah Lee

(@isaiahleeart)

Juan Arango Palacios (@juuuanitx)

Liz Von Hagen

(@muddymaychi)

Marcela Adeze Okeke (@maoke._)

Rana Huwais

(@ranahana___)

Yani He

(@yanihe.art)

Anwar Mahdi, Venus and Adonis, 2025

Rana Huwais, Notes on a line, 2025

"I'm drawn to Abiotic because it is the mundane, the quiet formations of personhood—and especially the memorialization of these moments—that fascinate me.

In the tender times where we build who we are and find where we come from, I explore how personhood stretches when provided by memories of others as well as mine. What is memorialized when every grasp of home is vital? I'm interested in the repeated act as devotional act: sewing red thread, retracing words, rebuilding a broken dish, cooking, eating, washing, sleeping. In these cycles there is reverence, small memorials and laborious acts to will memories into existence." - Rana Huwais

About Evoke

Evoke Gallery is a leading contemporary art gallery and production studio located in Chicago, Illinois. We specialize in showcasing emerging and mid-career artists with a focus on BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices. By highlighting underrepresented perspectives, Evoke has become one of Chicago’s most exciting new art galleries for contemporary art, exhibitions, and cultural events.

As both an art gallery and production studio, Evoke supports the creation of new work and immersive experiences. Our exhibitions blend fine art, music, and production design, offering visitors a unique experience that sets us apart from traditional galleries in Chicago.

How to get to abiotic

Evoke Gallery
3040 N. Central Ave
Chicago, IL, 60634

Exhibition Dates: September 13th - October 4th
Opening Reception: September 13th - 6 - 10PM

Getting Here:

By Bus

Route 85 (Central Avenue): Runs along Central Ave, stops near the gallery.
Route 76 (Diversey Avenue): Crosses Central Ave, a short walk from the gallery.
Route 77 (Belmont Avenue): Another east-west route intersecting with Central Ave.

Driving Directions & Parking

Address of Evoke Gallery: 3040 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
Nearest Free Parking Lot: Belmont Central Parking, 3140 N Central Ave (1 block north)
Street Parking: Free parking available along Central Ave and nearby side streets

Driving Directions from Belmont Central Parking to Evoke Gallery:

Drive south on N Central Ave toward W Wellington Ave.
Continue for about 0.2 miles (2-minute drive or a short walk).
Evoke Gallery will be on your right.

Accessibility: Evoke Gallery is ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible.

For press inquiries, tours, or group visits: admin@evokechi.com