Unearthing

Pinar Aral and Mirentxu Ganzarain 

SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art

1527 N. Ashland Ave.

Chicago, IL 60622

February 1 – March 22, 2025

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 1 from 5-8 pm

Artist Talk: Saturday, March 8 from 2-3 pm.

SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art is proud to feature Pinar Aral and Mirentxu Ganzarain, two extraordinary Chicago-based sculptors currently working in clay. The exhibition is called Unearthing in part because both women view their ceramics practice as a process of unearthing feelings, meaning, and how the clay itself will transform in their hands. Aral describes working with the clay as a process of grounding; it is like a meditation for her. Ganzarain feels the same about the work. She adds, “As you are working with the clay, as you are connecting with the material, it is speaking back to you.” 

Aral's new work in the exhibition features pieces with the beautiful markings achieved through the ancient method of pit firing. She also is showing a few pieces from her signature Mobius Strip series, and numerous small white porcelain objects reminiscent of forms in nature. Ganzarain is showcasing a diverse collection of work including terracotta sculptures inspired by germination and sprouting seeds, porcelain objects with faux fur and feathers, large mixed-media drawings, and small works on paper.

While both Aral and Ganzarain have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives, they appreciate their hybrid identities. Aral is Turkish-American and Ganzarain is Chilean-American and of Spanish descent. The artists have a global view, and it surfaces in their work. Despite never having met before the planning of this exhibit, there was an instant connection between them as they learned about each other’s paths to where they are as artists today. An easy conversation can be seen between their works. 

The elegance of their work gives this show a serene atmosphere where one wants to take time to relax and contemplate the form and finish of each piece. Both artists have a strong theme in their artwork related to women’s strength and intention. Ganzarain’s drawings are often of women. She explains, “I have been taken aback by the representation of women in religious art. They appear so often to be empty shells. In my work, I re-draw them to be women who are present." Aral also has depicted women in her work. She made the head of Medusa out of clay and tells the story of how Medusa was raped by Poseidon, but not believed. Said Aral, “Like the #MeToo movement of today, this was one of the issues I was trying to unearth and talk about.”

Ganzarain earned her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Aral’s degree is from the Institute of Industrial Design in Florence, Italy. 

Join us for the opening reception Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 5–8 PM.

An artist talk is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, from 2-3 pm. 

Unearthing runs February 1 – March 22, 2025 at SoNa Chicago Contemporary Art, 1527 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago.

Contact Laura Botwinick at (773) 513-4436 or lkbotwinick@gmail.com for more information.