After seven years in Seattle, Mariane Ibrahim relocated her headquarters to Chicago, debuting the new venue on July 27 2019 with Ayana V. Jackson’s solo exhibition “Take Me to the Water,” timed to coincide with EXPO Chicago. Ibrahim chose the city for its diverse artistic community and the momentum of West Town’s gallery district.
The 5,000‑6,000 sq ft building—designed by local firm Lamar Johnson Collaborative—pairs a dark, low‑profile façade with expansive white‑walled interiors, giving artists room for large‑scale installations while inviting natural light into its three exhibition bays. Its address at 437 N. Paulina St. places it alongside noted neighbors such as Monique Meloche and Rhona Hoffman, reinforcing West Town’s reputation as a contemporary‑art hub.
Programming in Chicago continues the gallery’s mission to foreground voices from Africa and its diaspora—artists like Amoako Boafo, Thenjiwe Nkosi, Florine Démosthène, and Clotilde Jiménez—while fostering dialogue on identity, representation, and global Black creativity. Beyond exhibitions, the space hosts artist talks, publishes catalogues, and maintains a strong art‑fair presence, positioning Mariane Ibrahim as a catalyst for a more inclusive art market from the American Midwest.
