About

Michelle Anahi is a self-taught multimedia artist based in Chicago, Illinois. Her vibrant paintings celebrate the feminine form and explore themes of identity, empowerment, and cultural resilience. Born in Mexico and raised in Chicago, Michelle draws inspiration from her roots and personal journey to create work that embodies hope, strength, and self-love. Through her art, she invites viewers to embrace the beauty of authenticity and transformation.

Michelle discovered her passion for visual storytelling at a young age. In 2011, her poetry was featured in Project Cabrini Green, an art installation exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. That same year, her paintings and darkroom photography exploring self-love were showcased at the Marwen Art Gallery.

In 2014, Michelle led the photography project Love in Baltimore, exhibited at Johns Hopkins University, and deepened her study of the human form through live-figure drawing courses — an influence that continues to define her canvas work.

Since 2021, Michelle has actively exhibited her art across Chicago. She contributed to the creation of the Fight to Stay mural in Pilsen alongside artist Héctor Duarte and later expanded her creative practice to include wearable art, customizing shoes, clothing, and accessories.

Her painting Conmigo y Sin Mi earned the People’s Choice Award at the Bridgeport Art Center’s 2024 Annual Art Competition. Her piece Monarca was later featured in the Policy of Truth exhibition at BAC’s 4th Floor Gallery. Most recently, her series El Sol Saldrá was exhibited at BAC’s Corridor Gallery (July–October 2025), where she also curated group shows in her studio during the center’s monthly Third Friday open studios.

Through her work, Michelle continues to explore themes of identity, empowerment, and cultural resilience—inviting viewers to embrace the beauty of authenticity and transformation.