Ms. Sivek’s work reflects her childhood in communist Czechoslovakia, where her longing for color emerged amidst a grey landscape of propaganda and fear. “Growing up, individualism and creativity were stifled, but I felt rebellious in my pursuit of art, winning competitions along the way while studying philosophy in Prague.” Her abstract pieces display vibrant colors—raw and thick—inviting viewers into a sensory experience. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1992, she navigated challenges while establishing herself in Chicago’s Wicker Park and River North galleries, contributing to charitable causes like the Gates Foundation. Sivek’s work has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show and in publications like Elle Décor and Chicago Interiors. It’s included in collections at Deloitte and Oprah Winfrey, and she now creates in her Lakeview studio and recently opened 2936 Contemporary in Lincoln Park.