Curatorial Fellowship 2026/2027

Architecture of Being: A Journey Through Collective Experience, Curated by Azadeh Hussaini

2026/2027 Curatorial Fellowship Exhibition

As an immigrant artist residing in the Greater Chicago area for 15 years, I have observed and experienced the profound relationship between space and identity. This exhibition reflects those observations and experiences, offering a platform for dialogue, reflection, and engagement. It delves into how humans express their existence through the architecture of their living environments, whether shaped by choice or circumstance.

The exhibition also examines the intersection of human existence and systemic forces, such as racial and economic segregation, which have long shaped Chicago’s sociocultural landscape. By highlighting the constraints imposed by urban redevelopment policies and housing inequalities, it seeks to illuminate how these forces impact lives, particularly in segregated neighborhoods. This historical and
contemporary context provides a framework for understanding how individuals adapt, resist, and assert their presence within these spaces.

Rather than serving solely as a critique, Architecture of Being invites viewers to reimagine possibilities. Through artworks inspired by individuals’ imagined living spaces, the exhibition explores how people would design and articulate their ideal environments if given equal opportunities and resources. This focus underscores the human desire to create spaces that not only fulfill physical needs but also embody identity and belonging.

The curatorial approach integrates diverse mediums, including installations, sculptures, and interactive performances. Participating artists, representing Chicago’s varied neighborhoods and migrant communities, will contribute works expressing their unique experiences of migration, displacement, and belonging. Together, these narratives offer a collective exploration of how humans define, inhabit, and reshape spaces to affirm their existence.

Ultimately, Architecture of Being seeks to deepen our understanding of what it means to belong. It examines how migration, segregation, and community-building shape the spaces we inhabit and influence how we perceive ourselves and others. Presented at the Evanston Art Center, this exhibition aims to spark meaningful conversations, amplify untold stories, and inspire a collective imagination for a more inclusive and equitable future.

This is an ongoing project, shaped a couple of years ago, and it aspires to evolve through diverse perspectives and points of view, supported by research and visual practice. By intertwining art and research, this exhibition aims to be both visually compelling and socially impactful—a space where shared experiences challenge divisions, foster connection, and celebrate the architecture of our collective being.

About the Curator

Azadeh Hussaini is an Iranian-American visual artist based in the Chicago metropolitan area and an art faculty member at Evanston Art Center and The Art Center of Highland Park. She holds an MFA in Non-figurative Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and a BFA in Painting from Azad Art University in Tehran. Drawing upon her experiences as an immigrant visual artist, she has synthesized the lessons garnered from her years in Iran with her American encounters, seamlessly integrating them into her artistic expression. She employs various mediums, including installation, drawing, assemblage, and sculpture, to explore her own emotional responses to her experiences.

Simultaneously, her work delves into the fundamental primal desires within the human condition, seeking to uncover commonalities among individuals while providing platforms for open discussion and social empowerment. Beyond her role as a visual artist, Azadeh is deeply committed to education and community engagement. She shares her expertise with others as a faculty member at both the Evanston
Art Center and Highland Park Art Center. Additionally, she co-founded the Didaar Art Collective, an Iranian Chicago-Based art community fostering collaboration and cultural exchange. Azadeh's dedication to serving her community extends beyond the art world. She generously volunteers with Refugee-One, providing support and assistance to refugees resettling in Chicago. Her passion for social justice is further evident in her collaboration as a collaborator with Tajrish Circle, an Iranian-based magazine, with a keen interest in Women’s studies and feminism. Azadeh uses these activities to nurture her artistic vision, infusing her artwork with deeper layers of meaning and insight. Azadeh's artwork has garnered widespread acclaim, with her pieces featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions both nationally and internationally.

Upcoming Programming

Building Home, December 6, 1-3 pm

Building Home is a hands-on family art workshop where children and adults can explore the idea of home through creativity, imagination, and recycled materials.

Working together, families will transform cardboard, paper, and other everyday materials into small, imaginative homes. From cozy little houses to extraordinary dream dwellings, participants are invited to experiment with shapes, textures, and structures while creating their own unique interpretations of home. This workshop offers a playful opportunity for families to make art together, share ideas, and explore what makes a place feel like home.

RSVP Here