biography

Born in Nanjing, China in October 1961, David Chen studied at Nanjing College of Art and Nanjing Teachers University from 1981-1988. He holds both a Bachelor and Masters degree in Fine Arts. David also trained as an art teacher with the Nanjing Teachers University and has a Graduate Diploma in Art teaching. He has tutored students both in the University and Architecture College in Nanjing, China. In late 1988 he was appointed an art editor of People’s Fine Art Publishing House in Beijing, where he edited several art magazines.

As a young successful artist David was invited by the French Embassy to have a solo exhibition, but it was banned by the Chinese Government due to the political climate after 4th June 1989. He was in serious trouble and bore the difficult days of that time and almost had to give up the brushes. He later re-emerged as a respected artist and went on to win national and international acclaim.

David has established a style in oil, watercolour and gouache by combining techniques from traditional Chinese painting and modern concepts. His elegant and expressive paintings depict his favourite themes - sea, clouds, women and flowers.

In 1991 he was selected as one of “100 representatives of Chinese Artists”, worldwide travelling exhibition, and in 1993 he was invited as one of “10 Contemporary Chinese Watercolour Painters”, exhibited in Hong Kong.

His series of watercolours “Stone Bridge, my home town” was exhibited in the museum of Chinese Australian History, Melbourne in 1991.

David’s painting “Path in my Native Land” won the silver Hawk Award at the Fourth International Art Contest in Nice, France, 1992. The Chinese Government now has that painting in their permanent art collection.

Soon after David’s arrival in Melbourne in 1993, he became involved in the “HYDRA” group, which was funded by the Australian government and the Arts Council. Since coming to Melbourne, David has worked as a full time artist. He has held several solo exhibitions and conducts popular painting workshops. A highlight of his career was exhibiting his work at the National Gallery of Victoria in 1994.

David Chen’s work is represented in private, corporate and municipal collections both in Australia and overseas.