Investigating Feelings: Reflective Artworks of Surreal Sceneries
Seonna Hong, an artist based in Los Angeles, is renowned for her capacity to intertwine visual creativity with profound emotional reflection. In her newest solo exhibition, titled “Cognitive Dissonance,” Hong explores the intricacies of the human mind set against fantastical backdrops and figures. The exhibit features her recent creations painted in the last year, which capture moody, Gauguin-inspired color schemes that immerse women in surreal, abstract settings filled with twisting branches, shadowy grass, and rough paint strokes. These components juxtapose with Hong’s gentler brushwork, portraying subjects who seem at peace despite their turbulent environments.
The title of the exhibition, “Cognitive Dissonance,” alludes to the intricate relationship between serene introspection and external turmoil reflected in Hong’s landscapes. The artist underscores this tension through the use of texture, color, and contrasts within her pieces. While her subjects exude tranquility, their surroundings vibrate with energy. Hong examines themes of community and collective introspection, stressing that self-discovery is often a shared journey. Her artworks depict interconnected figures, symbolizing mutual paths of reflection and understanding amidst societal, political, and environmental upheavals.
Though deeply personal and autobiographical, Hong’s work sparks a broader discourse by showcasing figures without explicit facial expressions. This creates a canvas for viewers to project their own emotions, such as fears, desires, and aspirations. In several of her canvases, Hong even eliminates the figures entirely, concentrating exclusively on vivid gestures and geometric shapes.
Regarding her artistic process, Hong expresses, “My paintings serve as a visual journey for me. The emotion lives in the land itself, striations in the sky, or in the jagged rocks—the figures are simply anchors, witnesses.” Her art documents the challenge of staying human, engaged, and genuine amidst overwhelming circumstances.
“Cognitive Dissonance” is presently displayed at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York until January 10, 2026. The exhibition encourages audiences to delve into emotional landscapes and the shared human experience through Hong’s vibrant artistry. Her art provides an introspective examination of the universal nature of internal conflict in a swiftly changing world, fostering a conversation that resonates with all who interact with her creations.