The Many Loves of Ana Castillo

The solo exhibition of original works on paper opens on Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with a book signing for Castillo's latest novel, Doña Cleanwell Leaves Home from 4– 6 pm.

• Opening Reception: Saturday, June 24th, 4 - 8 pm

• Book Signing: 4 - 6 pm

Hilton | Asmus (716 N. Wells Street) is proud to announce the opening of “THE MANY LOVES OF ANA CASTILLO,” a debut art exhibition by celebrated Hispanic/Chicana poet, artist, novelist, essayist, editor and translator, ANA CASTILLO. 

In addition, we are honored to announce an intimate Poetry Reading with Illinois Poet Laureate Angela Jackson & Ana Castillo on Monday, June 26th from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm at our Library in our Bridgeport gallery at the Morgan Arts Complex (MAC). Please contact us for details.

To add to her literary repertoire, Castillo has created a whimsical world of visual characters painstakingly woven with pencil, pen, sharpies and pastels, featuring series of angels, goddesses, animals and auto portraits in a distinctive and original style.

"Whether it's dancing cats or a girl with a dove dress, a series may evolve solely from a desire to try variations of a theme. My immediate environment--quail, turtles, dogs, insects are turned up on paper. All manner of creatures and human figures, past, present, around the globe and from beyond—appear. The sun, moon and stars that give us light are also everpresent.

At times, I go within, inside where emotions from experiences dwell. They manifest in symbols, divine figures, hybrid creatures, my love and respect I’ve had for Mexican artisans and I draw Trees of Life, Talavera ceramic designs, or pre- Hispanic symbols like the Monkey Mambo series. Whether it was Beardsley’s spirit revisiting me or a desire to occupy the hours with a task that required dedication while producing calmness within, but also, finally, a pleasant object, once I began in summer, 2015, I’ve not stopped.

--Ana Castillo June 2, 2023 New Mexico 

Born and raised in Chicago, Castillo's award winning, bestselling titles include the novels So Far from God, The Guardians, Peel My Love like an Onion, and Sapogonia, which was a New York Times Notable Book, and the poetry collection I Ask the Impossible. She has received numerous awards, including the 2018 PEN Oakland Lifetime Achievement Award, the Fuller Award for Lifetime Achievement, and this year was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.   

Ana Castillo is a powerful voice in not only the literary world but as an artist of originality and substance. We look forward to seeing you on June 24th to celebrate Ana's debut exhibition.