Chicago Grand Gallery is pleased to invite you to the opening reception of TENSILE LIFEWORLD SUGAR-FREE, a group exhibition curated by Tamara Li, bringing together eight contemporary artists exploring resilience, identity, memory, and the human capacity to endure extraordinary pressure.

Tracing an artistic journey from Kyiv to New York and Chicago, the exhibition reflects on the role of art in times of uncertainty and profound change. Originating in Kyiv amid the realities of war, the project explores art as a means of preserving cultural identity, documenting lived experience, and resisting chaos.

In Chicago, a city shaped by steel, architecture, and engineering, the exhibition takes on a new meaning. Tensile represents the ability to withstand tension without breaking, while Lifeworld refers to the world of human experience, memory, and culture. Together with Sugar-Free, a rejection of artificial perfection, these ideas form a reflection on resilience, authenticity, and the unbending human spirit.

Opening Reception: Friday, November 6 | 6–10 PM

Exhibition Dates: November 6 – December 31, 2026

Location: Chicago Grand Gallery

2842 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL