
Deborah Hirshfield was born and raised in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois and graduated from the American High School in Mexico City, Mexico, after which she studied Dance Theatre in New York City, traveled throughout Europe and Israel, and began her career in the textile arts, teaching at the Instituto del Arte, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Upon her return to the United States, Ms. Hirshfield taught Batik at various North Shore venues.
As a single parent, Ms. Hirshfield matriculated with honors from Mundelein College, Chicago, while her son was in elementary school. After encouraging Chicago Public School students PreK-Grade 8 in the arts for twenty years, she returned to her first career in textile art.
Ms. Hirshfield has most recently exhibited in the Chicago area at Stola Gallery, Womanmade Gallery, the Evanston Art Center, The Art Center Highland Park, and Oakton Community College Koehnline Museum.
From Batik to Shibori, to sculptural installations, Ms. Hirshfield is drawn to visual ideas. Her work embodies thoughts on pregnancy, gender equality, and sexuality.