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biography
Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia and raised in Houston, Texas, Rachel Lee Hovnanian is a New York-based artist whose multidisciplinary practice explores contemporary notions of narcissism, obsession and intimacy, and society’s alienating addiction to modern technological advances and media. She navigates the post-internet world, merging photography, video, sculpture, painting and installation art into surreal environments that challenge viewers to examine and reevaluate their own cultural values and relationship with digital technology. Judith Stein described Hovnanian as “a wizard at fingering uncomfortable truths."
Hovnanian received her BFA from the University of Texas, Austin, and has since exhibited internationally in both solo and group exhibitions in the United States, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Her recent solo exhibitions have been held at Leila Heller Gallery, New York; Pechersky Gallery, Moscow; Joyce Gallery, Beijing; and Foundation Pons, Barcelona. In addition, Hovnanian has been widely shown in group exhibitions including the University of Connecticut, Connecticut; Parasol Unit in London; Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines; Manarat al Saadivat, Abu Dhabi and at Loretta Howard Gallery, New York, in an exhibition curated by Beth Rudin DeWoody. Hovnanian’s artwork has been featured in numerous publications such asThe New York Times, WWD, Flaunt, Cultured, The Wall Street Journal Europe, Vogue, Interview, Tatler, Food & Wine, ARTnews, Modern Painters, Hyperallergic and BOMB.
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Exhibitions
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Art & Design Show: Spectra
30 Jun - 2 Sep 2026 New YorkRead more -
Summer Group Show
New York 21 Jul - 31 Aug 2016Read more -
Summer Show
9 Jul - 12 Sep 2015Read more -
Pop Sculpture - Pop Culture
18 Sep - 15 Nov 2014Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian: Plastic Perfect
4 Sep - 18 Oct 2014Read more -
Close Up: Contemporary Portraiture
Southampton Arts Center - 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, NY 11968 22 Aug - 7 Sep 2014Read more -
Look at Me: Portraiture from Manet to the Present
8 May - 14 Aug 2014Read more -
Look at Me: Portraiture from Manet to the Present - 57th Street
6 May - 29 Aug 2014Read more -
Summer Selects
11 Jul - 24 Aug 2013Read more -
Bass! How Low Can You Go?
8 Jun - 1 Jul 2013Read more -
Transparencies: Contemporary Art and a History of Glass
22 Feb - 22 May 2013Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian: Mud Pie
3 May - 2 Jun 2012Read more
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Publications
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News
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What to See This Spring at Museums Across the Country
April 22, 2026 Read more -
According to Bonami and Beatrice, contemporary art opens today «Trame d'estate»
September 10, 2019 Read more -
CONTEMPORARY ART IN TUSCANY: A NEW YORK ARTIST TAKES ITALY BY STORM
September 1, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian: The Self and Our Mediagenic Society
September 1, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian’s Secrets
August 9, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian’s “Open Secrets” at Palazzo Mediceo
August 7, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian. Open secrets
July 31, 2019 Read more -
Open Secrets, international audience at the inauguration of the exhibition
July 31, 2019 Read more -
Summer Plots, from 1 August (until Sunday 4) the literary festival at the Palazzo Mediceo in Seravezza. Opening with Francesco Bonami and Luca Beatrice, two of the most famous critics of contemporary art. The whole program
July 31, 2019 Read more -
A work by Rachel Lee Hovnanian at the Boutique Malo in Forte dei Marmi
July 31, 2019 Read more -
The work of art in the era of its social reproducibility: at Palazzo Mediceo with Francesco Bonami and Luca Beatrice
July 31, 2019 Read more -
Pietrasanta, the nest where babies can be chosen. The American artist's exhibition-provocationPietrasanta, the nest where babies can be chosen. The American artist's exhibition-provocation
July 29, 2019 Read more -
RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN, SERAVEZZA THE FIRST ITALIAN EXHIBITION
July 26, 2019 Read more -
OUT OF TOWN/ Open Secrets by Rachel Hovnanian at Palazzo Mediceo in Seravezza
July 24, 2019 Read more -
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC FOR THE VERNISSAGE OF THE "OPEN SECRETS" EXHIBITION OF THE NEWYORKESE ARTIST RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN AT PALAZZO MEDICEO
July 22, 2019 Read more -
The pitfalls of technology on show in Lucca: the Rachel Lee Hovnanian exhibition inaugurated
July 21, 2019 Read more -
Open Secrets, solo show by Rachel Lee Hovnanian
July 20, 2019 Read more -
SONO 14 LE OPERE DELL’ARTISTA STATUNITENSE, TRA SCULTURE E INSTALLAZIONI, ESPOSTE IN VERSILIA.
July 20, 2019 Read more -
OPEN SECRETS. RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN, SERAVEZZA, (LUCCA)
July 20, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian's first solo exhibition in Seravezza
July 19, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian Stages First Solo Museum Exhibit in Italy
July 19, 2019 Read more -
4 Works at the Heart of Rachel Lee Hovnanian’s New Show
July 19, 2019 Read more -
"OPEN SECRETS": THE WORKS OF RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN AT THE MEDICEO PALACE OF SERAVEZZA
July 18, 2019 Read more -
'Open Secrets', Rachel Lee Hovnanian's first solo exhibition in Seravezza
July 18, 2019 Read more -
New York artist Rachel Lee Hovnanian's first solo show in Italy entitled "Open Secrets"
July 18, 2019 Read more -
The candor of Rachel Lee Hovnanian's works at the Poggiali Gallery in Pietrasanta. On display tondos that recall the fifteenth-century tradition born in Tuscany. Opening on 13 July
July 12, 2019 Read more -
American Artist Rachel Lee Hovnanian on display at the Poggiali Gallery
July 10, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian at the Poggiali Gallery in Pietrasanta
July 10, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian - POGGIALI PIETRASANTA GALLERY
July 10, 2019 Read more -
Exhibition, Contemporary Art "Open Secrets" by Rachel Lee Hovnanian at the Palazzo Mediceo of Seravezza
June 28, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Hovnanian’s Open Secrets Exhibition On Personal Beauty And Digital Technology
June 27, 2019 Read more -
RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN. SILENCE (OPEN SECRETS)
June 12, 2019 Read more -
"Open Secrets" by Rachel Lee Hovnanian in the Palazzo Mediceo of Seravezza
June 12, 2019 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian: Open Secrets
May 13, 2019 Read more -
The art against addictions. Rachel Lee Hovnanian meets the students of the Comprensivo di Seravezza
April 18, 2019 Read more -
THE WOMEN’S TRILOGY PROJECT” BY RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN
March 8, 2019 Read more -
Tech Fix
September 27, 2018 Read more -
American Woman - Rachel Lee Hovnanian
August 6, 2018 Read more -
ARTIST RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN GIVES A TOUR OF “PURE”
July 5, 2018 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian's Ambitious 'The Women's Trilogy Project' Probes the Complexities of Modern Feminism
July 3, 2018 Read more -
RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN’S ART IS PROBING AND PROVOCATIVE — JUST DON’T CALL IT PRETTY
June 17, 2018 Read more -
PURE & Not So Simple
June 11, 2018 Read more -
Angels among us
June 11, 2018 Read more -
Smash soap sculptures with Rachel Lee Hovnanian
June 6, 2018 Read more -
This Woman's Work
June 6, 2018 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian : The Women's Trilogy Project
May 9, 2018 Read more -
Tick Tock Time in Contemporary Art
April 30, 2018 Read more -
RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN’S WOMAN’S TRILOGY PROJECT ARRIVES AT LEILA HELLER
April 20, 2018 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian Unveils Second Exhibit of the Women’s Trilogy Project
April 20, 2018 Read more -
Happy Hour for Humanity
April 19, 2018 Read more -
In “The Women’s Trilogy Project,” Reckoning With Addiction (and Appearances) Through Art
April 18, 2018 Read more -
ARTIST RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN OF THE WOMEN’S TRILOGY PROJECT ON PART II: ‘HAPPY HOUR’
April 11, 2018 Read more -
How Do You Get Your Nature Fix?
April 2, 2018 Read more -
Stargaze at this stunning indoor forest right here in Manhattan
March 29, 2018 Read more -
No Phones Allowed In This Indoor Forest In Chelsea
March 28, 2018 Read more -
Visit a secret forest in Chelsea art gallery
March 27, 2018 Read more -
Nature With Chirps, but No Tweets
March 27, 2018 Read more -
Escape the Room—If You Want To
March 20, 2018 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian “The Women’s Trilogy Project”
March 19, 2018 Read more -
Multi-part exhibition from alumna Rachel Lee Hovnanian featured at Leila Heller Gallery
March 18, 2018 Read more -
NY1's weekly segment "Your Weekend Starts Now" shows entertaining picks for great things to do this weekend all around the city
March 1, 2018 Read more -
Rachel Hovnanian Opens NDD Immersion Room At The Leila Heller Gallery
March 1, 2018 Read more -
A Return to Nature
February 27, 2018 Read more -
Editors’ Picks: 14 Things to See in New York This Week
February 22, 2018 Read more -
9 Art Events to Attend in New York City This Week
February 22, 2018 Read more -
Rachel Hovnanian Immerses Us in Our Tech-Dystopia
December 15, 2017 Read more -
One Piece: (The Ray Lee Project Vol.1) NDD Immersion Room
December 12, 2017 Read more -
2017 | Camp & Kitsch Modes of Cultural Appropriation & Resistance
November 21, 2017 Read more -
Abandon your phone and dive into nature in Bushwick
November 21, 2017 Read more -
34 Unmissable Gallery Shows to See in New York City This November
October 26, 2017 Read more -
Clean Sweep
February 10, 2017 Read more -
Rachel Lee Hovnanian
December 14, 2016 Read more -
Eight years in, Dallas event enjoys world renown
May 10, 2016 Read more -
At the Dallas Art Fair Everything's For Sale, Including Babies
May 10, 2016 Read more -
Our 11 Favorite Works from the Dallas Art Fair
May 10, 2016 Read more -
Dealers Report Record Attendance but Mixed Sales at Dallas Art Fair
April 21, 2016 Read more -
Dallas Gets Even Bigger
April 13, 2016 Read more -
New Dealers Invest in Dallas as Art Fair Week Quickly Approaches
April 11, 2016 Read more -
Would you like to order the 'perfect,' genetically engineered baby? A Dallas billboard says you can
April 6, 2016 Read more -
Act Now: Buy The Perfect Baby at Dallas Art Fair
April 6, 2016 Read more -
Must Sees 2016 Dallas Art Fair
April 6, 2016 Read more -
The Bio-Engineered Future of Perfect Baby Showroom Comes to the Dallas Art Fair
March 31, 2016Hovnanian’s Perfect Baby Showroom will be at the Dallas Art Fair on April 15, 16, and 17.Read more -
WHITEWALL: THE SUITE LIFE OF ART
May 21, 2015 Read more -
HUFFINGTON POST: IS THIS HAPPENING IN YOUR BEDROOM? WHAT FOREPLAY LOOKS LIKE NOW
March 28, 2015 Read more -
WHITEWALL: THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK SUITE 5000
January 14, 2015 Read more -
ARTE FUSE PRESENTS THE BEST IN SHOW 2014
December 29, 2014 Read more -
FLAUNT: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN - GET A LIFE
December 24, 2014 Read more -
MODERN PAINTERS: REVIEW
December 1, 2014 Read more -
BOMB - ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION
November 6, 2014 Read more -
CASUAL MUSE: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN TALKS DIGITAL AND NARCISSUS CULTURE
October 16, 2014 Read more -
POSITIVE PRESCRIPTION BY DR. SAMANTHA BOARDMAN: WHAT IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF MODERN RELATIONSHIPS?
October 15, 2014 Read more -
QUEST ARTS & CULTURE ISSUE: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN - PLUGGED-IN OR UNPLUGGED?
October 15, 2014 Read more -
1STDIBS: THIS UNSETTLING ART EXHIBIT WILL MAKE YOU RETHINK YOUR SMARTPHONE
October 13, 2014 Read more -
HYPERALLERGIC: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN'S SHALLOW SATISFACTIONS
October 9, 2014 Read more -
WHITEWALL: PROFILE OF LEILA HELLER GALLERY
October 1, 2014 Read more -
MODERN PAINTERS: TOP 100 FALL SHOWS
September 30, 2014 Read more -
TAXI: THOUGHT-PROVOKING VIDEO LIKENS COUPLES USING THEIR IPHONES IN BED TO FOREPLAY
September 12, 2014 Read more -
ARTE FUSE: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN - IN PLASTIC WE TRUST
September 10, 2014 Read more -
NEW YORK OBSERVER: THE NEW GRAVITAS? ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST DRINKS IN THIS FALL'S SOBER SEASON
September 10, 2014 Read more -
GOOD: WHEN YOUR FACEBOOK GETS YOU AS CRUNKED AS SUGARY BREAKFAST CEREAL
September 8, 2014 Read more -
FORBES: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN'S PLASTIC PERFECT OPENS AT LEILA HELLER GALLERY, ATTRACTS SERIOUS COLLECTORS
September 7, 2014 Read more -
PULP COLLECTORS: PICTURE PERFECT - PLASTIC PERFECT?
September 7, 2014 Read more -
ARTINFO: AN OPENING RECEPTION FOR RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN'S "PLASTIC PERFECT" AT LEILA HELLER GALLERY - SEPTEMBER 4, 2014
September 6, 2014 Read more -
ARTINFO: WEEK IN REVIEW - FROM LEBRUN TO CAVE, OUR TOP VISUAL ARTS STORIES
September 5, 2014 Read more -
BROKELYN: SOHO ARTIST WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE FREE SUGARY CRAP CEREAL YOU WANT, YOU CHILD
September 5, 2014 Read more -
DNA: FREE LUCKY CHARMS AND FROSTED FLAKES COMING TO ARTIST'S POP-UP CAFE IN SOHO
September 4, 2014 Read more -
WE-HEART: HEALTHY APPETITES? RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN PONDERS OUR INSATIABLE HUNGER FOR TECHNOLOGY
September 4, 2014 Read more -
COMPLEX: THE BEST EXHIBITIONS TO SEE THIS MONTH
September 4, 2014 Read more -
INTERVIEW MAGAZINE: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN VERSUS THE FUTURE
September 3, 2014 Read more -
WHITEWALL: TOP EXHIBITIONS OPENING THIS WEEK IN NEW YORK (SEPT. 1-7)
September 3, 2014 Read more -
ARTINFO: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN IS CREATING A FREE CEREAL BAR IN SOHO
September 3, 2014 Read more -
WWD - ARTIST RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN DISCUSSES 'PLASTIC PERFECT'
September 2, 2014 Read more -
GALLERIST: THE INVITATION TO 'RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN: PLASTIC PERFECT' AT LEILA HELLER GALLERY IS A BOX OF FROOT LOOPS
September 2, 2014 Read more -
MAIL ONLINE: HOW ADDICTED TO TECHNOLOGY ARE YOU?
September 2, 2014 Read more -
NEW YORK OBSERVER: THE INVITATION TO 'RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN: PLASTIC PERFECT' AT LEILA HELLER GALLERY IS A BOX OF FROOT LOOPS
September 1, 2014 Read more -
SPACE MAGAZINE
August 1, 2014 Read more -
NEW YORK MAGAZINE - VULTURE FESTIVAL: CHELSEA ART TOUR
May 9, 2014 Read more -
AOL ENTERTAINMENT: AT HOME WITH KATHY HILTON
March 31, 2014 Read more -
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST: FABERGE HIDES ARTIST-DESIGNED EGGS AROUND NEW YORK CITY
March 28, 2014 Read more -
ARTINFO: INTERVIEW - RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN ON HER NEW YEAR'S FEAST (ENGLISH)
January 22, 2014 Read more -
ARTINFO: INTERVIEW - RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN ON HER NEW YEAR'S FEAST (CHINESE)
January 22, 2014 Read more -
WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY: RACHEL HOVNANIAN TAKES CONCEPTUAL PIECE TO CHINA
January 17, 2014 Read more -
PAPER CITY: INSIDE A FINE MIND
December 1, 2013 Read more -
ELLE DECOR: DRESSED TO THE NINES
June 1, 2013 Read more -
DOPAMINAL: THE ARMORY SHOW
April 6, 2013 Read more -
AL ARABIYA: ART DUBAI 2013: AN INTERNATIONAL IDENTITY CRISIS EXPLODES TO LIFE
March 23, 2013 Read more -
TMI ARTS PAGE: EXPLORING THE ARMORY SHOW
March 21, 2013 Read more -
ARTINFO: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ARMORY SHOW
March 9, 2013 Read more -
GALLERY INTEL: THE ARMORY SHOW - TOP RECOMMENDATIONS
March 1, 2013 Read more -
WHAT 2 WEAR WHERE: ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH
November 28, 2012 Read more -
LA WEEKLY BLOG: 10 GREAT ARTWORKS AT ART PLATFORM LOS ANGELES ART FAIR
October 2, 2012 Read more -
LA ART DIARY: ART PLATFORM LOS ANGELES 2012
September 29, 2012 Read more -
SANTA MONICA CLOSE-UP
September 27, 2012 Read more -
CA HOME + DESIGN: INSIDE ART PLATFORM - LOS ANGELES 2012
September 25, 2012 Read more -
BLOOMBERG: ART IN THE HAMPTONS
August 1, 2012 Read more -
NEW YORK OBSERVER: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN SERVES UP 'MUD PIE' AT LEILA HELLER GALLERY
June 1, 2012 Read more -
HARPER'S BAZAAR: RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN GETS NOSTALGIC WITH MUD PIE IN NEW EXHIBIT
May 29, 2012 Read more -
THE TORY BLOG: SPOTLIGHT ON RACHEL LEE HOVNANIAN
May 22, 2012 Read more -
BARUCH COLLEGE ARTS & STYLE: THE TICKER
May 15, 2012 Read more -
WHAT 2 WEAR WHERE
May 15, 2012 Read more -
NY1: CHELSEA ARTIST FEEDS OFF MODERN HUNGER FOR THE FAKE
May 14, 2012 Read more -
PLANET: MUD PIE
May 14, 2012 Read more -
SOTHEBY'S BLOGS
May 14, 2012 Read more -
FASHION ETCETERA: BETTINA'S TAKE
May 4, 2012 Read more -
NEW YORK TIMES DINING CALENDAR
May 1, 2012 Read more -
WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY: NARCISSUS IN AN IPAD
April 30, 2012 Read more -
NY OBSERVER: CLAD IN SWIMSUITS, PERFORMERS STROLL ART PLATFORM'S AISLES
October 2, 2011 Read more
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