Artist Statement If we could see the depth and complexity of a woman on her surface, would we recognize the beauty there? Would we notice her scars if we looked close enough? Through clay, I let each woman tell her story through my hands. In my work, the physicality of clay becomes as much a voice as the figure itself. I explore how the material can be pushed, marked, and transformed — revealing strength and fragility, resilience and wear. The textures, forms, and surfaces are not mere decoration, but a dialogue between material and meaning. At the heart of these sculptures is the universal struggle for emotional balance. Women carry strength, compassion, and an extraordinary capacity to endure, yet we also navigate the layered roles of mother, lover, sister, friend, and wife — so often placing others before ourselves. Through each gesture, I strive to honor both the stories and the substance that shape us. Biography Nancy Pirri was born in Brooklyn, New York and currently lives in Chicago, IL. She has dabbled in every art form since childhood, discovering clay to be her true passion in 1996. She has won awards from the Beverly Arts Center and the Rockford Art Museum, including work published in ‘500 Figures in Clay’ V2. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, including Sofa Expo in Chicago representing women's rights anniversaries, acquiring collectors from all over the world. She’s been with numerous galleries in the Midwest and currently represented by J. Petter Gallery; Oliva Gallery; and Inner Haven Gallery including a 'booth' at Design at 329 - part of Primitive in Chicago. ​ Studio: Lillstreet Art Center @ 4401 N. Ravenswood in Chicago, IL No Number Studio - second floor.