Dongni Hou, "Beyond The Veil"

Haven Gallery is pleased to present a collection of tempera paintings from Paris based artist Dongni Hou for her first solo exhibition entitled “Beyond the Veil” at the gallery. “Beyond the Veil” presents a collection of bold yet gossamer portraits of female sitters often shrouded in armor. Hou paints heroines, unveiling the deepest emotional complexities of their expeditions and psyche, often nodding to the darker chambers of the human soul. Poetic introspection and reflection are evident in the moments she captures with tempera, as one cannot avoid the darkness in even the most noble of pursuits. Textured and haunting backdrops serve as extensions of the psychological complexities to further the emotional state and personal strength each sitter carries on their quest. Feminine yet tenacious, each portrait embodies the dualities of the human condition, the multi-faceted nature of the choices we make and the tethers that continue to stay with us afterward. Completed with antique and aged frames (some reproduction), the artist honors and adorns her female visages with mounting reflective of the wear and beauty of life.