Galerie ELHABIBI is proud to present Venus Descending, the second solo exhibition in Paris by Filipina-American artist Raisa Gates, following her acclaimed show Contemplations.
The series began on March 1st, 2025—the day Venus turned retrograde in the sky. Deeply attuned to planetary motion, Raisa Gates drew inspiration from the ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna and her descent into the underworld—a symbolic journey through loss, darkness, and transformation, toward rebirth.
Her technique mirrors this inner passage: each painting is composed of multiple translucent layers of color. At times, the original sketch resurfaces—like ancient knowledge rising from the depths—while in other areas, the accumulation of veils generates depth and mystery.
With Venus Descending, Raisa Gates offers a meditative and luminous body of work—where memory, myth, and materiality converge in a quiet yet powerful reflection on feminine strength and renewal.