Deena Gu Laties: A Retrospective

Deena Gu Laties returns to Highfield Hall & Gardens during the summer of 2026 for her third exhibition, The exhibit will feature new work by Gu in addition to examples of her work representing her early training in classical Chinese calligraphy. Deena is an accomplished artist who melds aspects of western art with her Chinese training. Born in Shanghai, Deena Gu studied under famous Chinese painters Cheng Shifa and Tse Chen-Na. She continued her art studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts when she moved to the U.S. in the 1980s, fusing Chinese tradition with a western approach in terms of space, color and relationship. Deena has created new work for the Highfield Hall exhibit.

The late renowned Philadelphia artist, Sam Maitin said, “In painting watercolor on silk, I find that her command of the medium is extensive and eloquent. It has an imperial, regal quality. She handles it so deftly and so expertly.”

Deena Gu’s preferred painting medium is watercolor on silk. Silk is a traditional Chinese medium. Deena feels that the smoothness of silk exhibits the most exquisite colors. She also paints on rice paper as well as oils on canvas. “When I paint on silk, I feel a strong communication with its texture. Silk is like a part of me,” says Deena, whose subjects include landscapes, flowers – especially lotus blossoms – birds, as well as portraits.