Joy Machine is excited to announce the upcoming exhibition titled “Speak of the Devil” featuring the works of Chicago artists Haylie and Sydnie Jimenez. The exhibition will be held from August 9 to September 20, 2025.
The title of the exhibition, “Speak of the Devil,” carries a sense of surprise and manifestation. It suggests the power to summon someone simply by mentioning their name, almost like a magical act. Haylie and Sydnie Jimenez, twin sisters with parallel artistic practices, use this concept as a metaphor for their art-making process.
Both artists work primarily in ceramics, with Haylie focusing on etching scenes into flat panels while Sydnie creates figurative sculptures and totemic heads. Their work is rich in narrative, often depicting their queer, Black, and brown friends and neighbors in a punk style aesthetic. They see their art as a way to honor and celebrate their chosen kin, the people they consider family.
Raised in the South with a Catholic mother, the Jimenez sisters are familiar with the origins of the phrase “speak of the devil” as a superstition associated with summoning evil. However, they aim to explore the deeper meanings behind such expressions, drawing parallels between their experiences in the South and their current home in Chicago. Both regions, they note, are rich in culture and history despite the negative stereotypes often associated with them.
“Speak of the Devil” is a reflection of the artists’ shared interests in community, relationships, and acceptance. Through their artwork, they create a warm and welcoming environment that celebrates diversity and challenges stereotypes. By visualizing a world of radical acceptance and joy, the artists aim to inspire others to see the beauty in embracing difference.
The exhibition features a range of works, from Sydnie’s gargoyle-esque sculptures to Haylie’s lamps and inlay tables. Each piece reflects the artists’ commitment to showcasing the vibrancy of the communities they belong to. Through their art, they hope to conjure a sense of togetherness and belonging, inviting viewers to imagine a world where love and acceptance reign supreme.
As visitors explore the exhibition, they will encounter a world where tattoos, piercings, and punk style are celebrated, where queer identities are embraced, and where chosen families take center stage. Through their art, Haylie and Sydnie Jimenez invite us to speak of the devil and summon a world of joy, acceptance, and endless possibilities.
