Hot Coffee with Echo He, Lynn Hai and Iris Zhang from Fou Gallery, New York
Published April 5, 2025
Fou Gallery first opened in 2014 standing out with its alternative model of working with artists while creating a communal space for exhibitions, but also for poetry, theater, film, design, and culinary arts. After the first iteration in a historic duplex brownstone in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood last September the gallery moved into a historic 1904 cast-iron building at 89 5th Ave and now is there on the seventh floor. I had the pleasure of collaborating with Fou on the show of a striking Iranian artist Helia Chitsazan last fall and wanted to ask the gallery founder Echo He, artistic director Lynn Hai, and events and communications director Iris Zhang several questions about their working model, vision, and plans.
Nina: Imagine you are in your favorite coffee or tea spot. Where is it? What are you drinking? What are the three things you see right now?
Lynn: I’m sitting in a cozy waterfront café, comfortably positioned by a large window where I can feel the gentle breeze from the sea, a river, or perhaps a lake. Wherever I travel, whether it’s New York, London, Hong Kong, or anywhere else in the world, I always seek out cafés that offer this serene experience by the water. These tranquil spots have become a consistent source of inspiration and comfort for me, providing a quiet moment to reflect and recharge.
My drink of choice is usually an Americano, though I often ask the staff for their signature coffee to experience something unique to each location. At this very moment, I see three things clearly: the vast, expansive water stretching endlessly outward, symbolizing calmness, infinite possibilities, and mystery; a thoughtfully curated bookshelf filled with diverse books, inviting curiosity and exploration; and beautifully displayed paintings, sparking creativity and adding to the artistic atmosphere.
Humans naturally seem drawn to waterside spaces—perhaps because expansive waters evoke peace, inspiration, and contemplation. For me personally, reading and creative expression are deeply connected, and being near the water enhances my enjoyment of both.
Installation image of NISKY: Il paradiso non finito at Fou Gallery, March 2025. Photograph by Ken Lee, courtesy of Fou Gallery
Opening reception of Ming Wang’s solo exhibition Through Lingering Windows at Fou Gallery, January 2025. Photograph by Cassie Sun, courtesy of Fou Gallery
Nina: Please tell me about the inception of the Fou Gallery. How and when did you start it? What has changed in your approach to Fou since that time? Where do you want to take your gallery in the future?
Echo: Fou Gallery was founded on December 13, 2013, evolving from UNTITLEDdialogue, a community-driven cultural series that I co-founded with my New York University Visual Arts Administration classmate Jessie Yang. This project hosted conversations and events featuring artists, curators, writers, dancers, musicians, and filmmakers engaged with Asian culture in New York. Without external funding, we organized monthly gatherings in alternative spaces such as tea houses, theaters, and film studios. Over time, we built a strong community of artists and creatives passionate about Asian diaspora art. Recognizing the challenges Asian artists faced in exhibiting their work, we transformed Jessie’s apartment into a gallery, embracing an intimate setting rather than a traditional white-cube space. From the beginning, Fou Gallery was more than a commercial gallery—it was a space for exhibitions, independent film screenings, music performances, poetry readings, and workshops that connected art, film, architecture, culinary arts, design, and cultural experiences.
The name “Fou” (否) carries layered meanings across different cultures. In Chinese, it has two pronunciations: pǐ (否), an ancient I Ching hexagram symbolizing misfortune that can transform into fortune, and fǒu (否), meaning negation or defiance. The word also appears in French, meaning “mad”, and in Scottish dialect, meaning “drunk.” These interpretations reflect our gallery’s spirit—challenging conventions and embracing creative transformation beyond the mainstream commercial art world.
In 2016, Jessie left the gallery to focus on her own design brand, and Fou Gallery relocated to a historic duplex brownstone in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood, where it continued showcasing underrepresented artists and fostering a creative community. With the addition of Lynn Hai as Artistic & Design Director in 2018 and Iris Zhang as Events & Communication Director in 2020, the gallery evolved into a professional, multi-shareholder operation.
In 2024, after celebrating our 10th anniversary, we moved to Manhattan’s Union Square, settling into a historic 1904 cast-iron building. This move allows us to expand our mission across three core practices: exhibitions, healing sessions, and community engagement. We continue to spotlight contemporary artists, offer therapeutic workshops such as kintsugi repair, sound healing ceremonies, and herbal healing courses, and host concerts, panel discussions, and other cultural events. Fou Gallery remains a bridge between art, culture, and healing, nurturing meaningful connections through creativity.
Fou Gallery core team, March 2023. Photograph by Xi Zhou, courtesy of Fou Gallery.
Nina: How do you decide on the exhibitions and artists? What are the factors you are considering when working with an artist?
Lynn: Our exhibitions and artists are carefully selected to reflect the gallery’s unique aesthetic preferences, artistic direction, and overall operational strategy. When making these decisions, we strive to balance our ideals and practical considerations, prioritizing effectively based on current circumstances. We thoroughly evaluate each artist’s previous experiences, current creative practice, and future career aspirations, ensuring alignment with our gallery’s vision.
When collaborating with an artist, we place significant emphasis on their artistic talent, genuine passion, and dedication to ongoing creative practice. We seek artists who demonstrate seriousness, ambition, and self-awareness in their professional growth. Additionally, we consider our collectors’ tastes and assess the market potential of an artist’s work, aiming for sustainable and meaningful engagement.
Culturally, we often gravitate towards artists who embody multicultural experiences, whose works thoughtfully reflect on the intersections and interactions between diverse cultural identities and contemporary phenomena. Their artistic creations, while deeply personal, resonate universally, evoking collective memories and shared emotional responses.
At the heart of our selection process is the quality and depth of an artist’s creative work. We value thoughtful, well-researched artistic expression anchored in a coherent and evolving thematic exploration. Beyond artistic merit, we deeply care about the personal qualities of the artists we collaborate with. We firmly believe that working with good-natured, respectful individuals fosters not only exceptional creative outcomes but also contributes positively to our community by nurturing a fair, supportive, and collaborative environment.
Lastly, professionalism throughout the collaboration process is essential. Effective communication, reliability, and mutual respect are crucial elements that help ensure successful partnerships, fulfilling experiences, and impactful exhibitions.
Installation image of NISKY: Il paradiso non finito at Fou Gallery, March 2025. Photograph by Ken Lee, courtesy of Fou Gallery
Installation image of Helia Chitsazan: Forces of Change and Memory, November 2024. Photo courtesy of the gallery.
Nina: What do you think about the contemporary art system? And where do you see Fou Gallery within this system of art fairs, institutions, artists, etc.?
Echo: The contemporary art system is a dynamic yet complex ecosystem shaped by commercial galleries, art fairs, biennials, museums, and institutions, as well as independent spaces and artist-led initiatives. While the market-driven art world often prioritizes high-profile sales, blue-chip artists, and large-scale institutional recognition, Fou believes there is also a growing need for alternative models that emphasize artistic integrity, cultural dialogue, and community engagement.
Fou Gallery embraces a more intimate, artist-centric approach. Rather than focusing on market trends or aggressive sales strategies, we prioritize meaningful artistic practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a holistic connection between art and life. For instance, during Asia Week New York 2025, we hosted a private tea ceremony for Harvard Art Museum supporters during NISKY’s solo exhibition, offering a mindful experience through tea and meditation. This reflects our belief that art should be a platform for cultural exchange and personal reflection.
For over a decade, we’ve supported artists working with glass and ceramics, including Renqian Yang and Meng Du. Their work has gained international recognition, culminating in their inclusion in the Chinese Contemporary Studio Crafts project, initiated by Xiaoxin Li from the Victoria and Albert Museum (London). This research-based collection aims to deepen global understanding of China’s evolving culture.
Since moving to Manhattan, we’ve invited guest curators from diverse backgrounds to enrich our exhibitions, further diversifying our programming. By engaging new voices, we ensure that our space remains vibrant and responsive to a range of perspectives. Fou Gallery may not operate within the mainstream art market, but we are committed to bridging cultural divides and creating a space where art, culture, and healing intertwine. We remain a vital part of the contemporary art ecosystem by fostering artistic exploration and meaningful community connections.
Installation image of Saba Farhoudnia: Falling Petals, Standing Roses, spring 2024. Photo courtesy of the gallery.
NISKY, Changing Lights in the South,2025.Acrylic on canvas, 50.7×39 inches. From the current exhibition NISKY: Il paradiso non finito March 2025. Photograph by Ken Lee, courtesy of Fou Gallery
Nina: What do you think is the main challenge for a gallery to stay relevant for its audience?
Iris: The main challenge for a gallery to stay relevant is balancing its curatorial vision with the evolving expectations of its audience, particularly as engagement habits shift across both physical and digital spaces. For Fou Gallery, this means navigating the balance between maintaining its niche focus on contemporary Asian art while expanding beyond traditional collectors to connect with younger and more diverse audiences.
To address this, Fou Gallery actively collaborates with curators and scholars from diverse backgrounds, ensuring each exhibition brings fresh perspectives and fosters meaningful dialogue between artists, audiences, and the broader art community. However, with digital platforms becoming a dominant force in audience engagement, another challenge is translating the gallery's immersive on-site experience into compelling online content—through virtual exhibitions, artist-led discussions, and cross-disciplinary collaborations—without losing the essence of its intimate approach.
Beyond curatorial and digital strategies, Fou Gallery also deepens its engagement with the city's cultural scene by collaborating with local art and cultural organizations, NGOs, and independent creative initiatives. These partnerships allow the gallery to co-host exhibitions, panel discussions, and educational workshops, broadening its reach while strengthening its role as a cultural hub.
Ultimately, a gallery's ability to adapt to changing audience behaviors while staying true to its artistic identity is the key challenge that determines its long-term relevance in the ever-evolving art landscape.
First image: Fou Gallery core team, October 2024. Photograph by Sophie Agre, courtesy of Fou Gallery