Yani aviles is a transdisciplinary artist whose practice is a form of medicine making. They research, write, and create contemplative installations and conceptual works that challenge normative systems of knowledge production and dissemination through multimedia and embodied decolonial approaches. Yani’s work has been exhibited in Chicago, New York, and Berlin, at venues including Adds Donna, Apparatus Projects, and The Institut für Alles Mögliche, among others. They received a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an MFA in Art Theory and Practice from Northwestern University, and foundational Reiki, and Herbalism certifications.

During their time as a resident, aviles will turn the gallery space into an open-access studio, library, and place for people to gather and dialogue about issues plaguing the city. In the wake of the Mayor's budget cuts and the announcement that libraries will now be closed on Sundays, aviles will create a curated library open on Sundays. The collection will include literature, zines, books, videos, and other materials that are related to issues including housing instability, development, displacement, and funding cuts to education, arts, and ecology programs.