Come away with us and explore new exhibitions opening this weekend at Haven Gallery. Teeming with inspiration that promises to ignite your imagination, enjoy collections by Annie Stegg Gerard, “The Edge of Twilight”, Brian Sostrom “The Shadowland”, Shinya Takanezawa, “Dream of 100 Billion years”, and KCN “Dissociative Identity Disorder”. From vibrant floral motifs to the haunting beauty of dark and moody landscapes… and intricate graphite drawings and narratives of folklore to cultural influence on art, the perspectives are atmospheric and intriguing.
Each exhibition provides a unique window into the creative vision and passionate expression of the artist. Join us in celebration because Haven Gallery has something to inspire every art lover.
Annie Stegg Gerard | Brian Sostrom | Shinya Takanezawa | KCN
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 6-8pm
Exhibition Dates: March 29 – April 27, 2025
Haven Gallery
50 Main St., Northport, NY 11768 | ph. (631) 757-0500
To inquire, please contact Erica at Haven Gallery via email [email protected]
About the Gallery //
Haven Gallery is run by Erica Berkowitz and Joseph Weinreb. The gallery first opened in 2015 in the Carriage House of historic Northport, NY. Within two years, the gallery doubled in size and expanded into the entire Carriage House building. Through their successful in-house exhibitions and presentations at art fairs both domestic and international, Haven opened a secondary location at 90 Main St., in 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic. It was at that point, that Erica and Joseph knew it was time to find a permanent location for their artists. In January of 2022, they bought the building at 50 Main st., and opened its doors as Haven Gallery’s perennial home.
Haven Gallery’s focus is on exhibiting emotionally, intellectually and imaginatively driven, representational artwork that connects the audience and artist with universal axioms and passions. We work with both emerging and established artists who transcend their medium and subjects by exploring the world around them as well as the one within themselves.
Annie Stegg Gerard, “The Edge of Twilight”
Haven Gallery is honored to present Georgia based artist, Annie Stegg Gerard, “The Edge of Twilight”, for her seventh solo show at the gallery. “New Works” hosts a collection of eight oil paintings focusing women of mythology and the influence of the natural world. Arcadian landscapes teeming with Pre-Raphaelite influence are evoked through Stegg Gerard’s imaginative oeuvre of fairy-tale motifs and narratives, transporting viewers into worlds familiar, yet magical.
Ethereal lighting and dreamy palettes apotheosize Gerard’s sitters and their animal familiars, indulging the viewer in a world of enchantment, deeply rooted in history, and brought to life through a masterful hand and visionary mind.
About Annie Stegg Gerard //
Annie has a special love for the 18th century Rococo painters who have had a large influence on her own method. Inspired by nature, folklore and mythology, her work evokes emotion and imagination in the viewer. She finds inspiration in their imagination, and the dreamlike palette and lively brushwork that combine to create a wonderful atmosphere of enchantment.
She believes that they sought to transport us to different worlds and fantastic places though their works. In her own work, known for it’s beautiful, enigmatic figures and lively creatures, Annie strives to depict this same transportive effect to the viewer. Annie has been exhibiting her work for seven years and has done notable publishing work for clients such as Disney, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast, Easton press, Ballistic Publishing and more. Her work is found in private collections all over the world.
Brian Sostrom “The Shadowland”
Haven Gallery is honored to present Idaho based artist, Brian Sostrom, for his first show, entitled “The Shadowland”, at the gallery. “The Shadowland” features fifteen acrylic landscape paintings charged with color, emotion and energy. Sostrom describes this collection as a meditation on the beauty of solitude and darkness.
Heavy bands of color and contrast dominate natural scenery, infusing tranquil scenes with energy and emotion. Through Sostrom’s use of shadow on land, earth and sky, one loses themself within the dance and prose of the fleeting clouds, glow of sunrise and gleam of the sunset. Atmospheric worlds, devoid of people pulsate with life and the passage of time, paying homage to an untouched place where the inherit majesty of the natural world, in both light and shadow, flourishes.
Artist Statement //
I invite you to step into The Shadowland, my solo exhibition where I explore the emotional landscapes of psychological isolation, beauty, and dreams. Through my latest paintings, I aim to create a space where light and shadow come together, revealing the delicate tension between solitude and the quiet beauty that resides within.
In these paintings, dreams are not just a form of escape, but a way of engaging with the deeper recesses of the self. The Shadowland is not just an exhibition for me; it’s a personal journey I share with you, inviting you to explore the emotional depths of the human experience. In the quietest moments, we often find the most profound beauty.
About Brian Sostrom //
I grew up in small rural towns in the Pacific Northwest. My father was an engineer for the National Forest Service and we frequently relocated for his work. All of my finest memories revolve around the tranquility of nature and the peace and solitude that I found there. My father has always painted, at least since I’ve been around. I would watch him painting on his homemade easel wishing I could do the same.
When I was 9 years old my parents purchased a hobby set of acrylic paints for me and I was never far from them. When I went to college, at Washington State University, I was experimenting with all types of mediums and began learning about computer generated art and design.
Digital art, specifically video game art, kept me afloat financially but my passion has always been painting. Acrylics have lured me back with their ever-expanding catalog of new paints and mediums. For the last twenty years I have experimented extensively with many materials in addition to acrylic paints. I paint on a customized smooth substrate with translucent acrylic paints, much like a watercolor artist I rely upon the underlying surface for the lightest elements of my work.
I am obsessed with mark making and use knives, squeegees, brushes and custom tools to create unique paint applications. I keep changing the way I work and trying to create art that is not only beautiful but also visually unique. It is a task that is exceedingly difficult but one of the most important mantras I have. I participate in solo shows and group shows throughout the United States.
Shinya Takanezawa, “Dream of 100 Billion years”
Haven Gallery is honored to present Japan based artist, Shinya Takanezawa, for his first show, entitled “ Dream of 100 Billion years”, at the gallery. “ Dream of 100 Billion years” hosts a collection of gold leaf, oil paint, and tempera paintings tying traditional methods and mythologies with contemporary stylization and narratives.
Strong female deities are depicted in detailed armor and distinguished garb, historically rendered and coupled with yokai, creatures of folklore and attending cats, offering a playful sense of whimsy. Fine line work and extraordinary detail can be found amidst fluid compositions that move gracefully through the artists expertise of design and compositional placement, drawing the eye to examine and enjoy every detail found in the painting.
Heavily inspired by Japanese aesthetics and narratives, Takanezawa brings forth his own heritage and intermingles it with western influence such as aesthetics found in medieval art and illuminated manuscripts. “Dream of 100 billion years” represents the artistic prowess and ingenuity of humans to innovate and create visual storytelling, nodding to the continued evolution of global camaraderie and its influence on the dreams of the human condition.
Artist Statement //
By combining and mixing various images from the past to the present using gold leaf, oil paint, and tempera, I hope to create a world never seen before. Why not join me in exploring a wonderland far from your everyday life?
KCN “Dissociative Identity Disorder”
Haven Gallery is honored to present Taiwan based artist, KCN, for his second show, entitled “Dissociative Identity Disorder””, at the gallery. “Dissociative Identity Disorder”” features six graphite drawings and two oil paintings continuing the artists exploration of the global influence of other cultures on art, fashion and society, and how they affect individual identity.
In particular, one can notice the influence of Japanese styling and subculture intermingling with the artists own Taiwanese heritage and history. And with the Japanese influence, hints of the West also permeate the steampunk-esque compositions, adding to the multi-cultural chimera of character.
With the adaptation and absorption of new customs and aesthetics, one may lose memory of innate aspects of style and aesthetic, forming an entirely new, pastiche of identities. In some cases, the individuals may be lost int these cultural machinations, while in other cases, one may find they blossom a new, multifaceted identity unique to themselves.
About KCN (氫酸鉀) //
KCN, originating from a Taiwanese farming family, has held various roles such as a manga artist, game art designer, illustrator, and commercial designer. Influenced by the lifestyle of grandparents during Taiwan’s pre-World War II Japanese era, and growing up in the industrial city of Kaohsiung, the artist’s creations reflect a blend of Japanese pre-war culture and steampunk aesthetics. Currently focused on oil and pencil paintings, all artistic skills are self-taught. With a passion for both traditional and modern Japanese culture, KCN aspires to create a unique artistic worldview based on personal experiences and a distinctive style.
KCN was born Wu Hsuyao in 1972 in Beidou, Changhua county, Taiwan. He debuted as a cartoonist, with two cartoons, “Kirin the Beast” and “Journey to the West”, and then turned to illustration and game artwork. For a long time, Taiwan’s pre-war history has been the main axis of his creation. His works have been popular with painters in Taiwan and Japan.
Over the years, he made hundreds of artworks. KCN’s grandfather was a renowned person in the village of Beidou, and was loved by the villagers for his integrity and affection. KCN was deeply inspired by grandfather’s teaching. After the ban on “Taiwanology” was lifted KCN read many books about Taiwan’s history. He deeply understood the social atmosphere before World War II and the special emotional ties between Taiwanese and Japanese.
His illustrations were also based on the suppressed history and characters of the Japanese colonial era in Taiwan (1895-1945), and his enthusiasm has also inspired many people from all over the world, possibly because of the special historical and emotional bond between Taiwan and Japan. His works have great resonance in Japan and the world.
