DAVID CHEN
I believe in the transformative power of art to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and spark meaningful dialogue.
DAVID CHEN an artist & curator residing in the United States, He moved to New York City in 1992 to study at the New York Art Students League. He has previously served as the director of the Qiantang Bay Art Museum in Hangzhou and as a visiting lecturer at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Currently, he holds the position of Art Director for the Asia-Pacific region at the New York Contemporary Art Center and serves as the Secretary-General of the American Asian Artists Association.
Artworks
Painting
Introspection Impression Series
Order in Chaos in the Mirror Series
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Impression - Idea - Human nature
Impressions can be divided into two types: sensory impressions and reflective impressions. The former arises in our minds for unknown reasons, while the latter mostly comes from our concepts. These concepts are originally stimulated by impressions that create various sensations, such as coldness, heat, hunger, thirst, bitterness, and happiness. These impressions leave a copy in our minds, which we call a concept. Even after the original impression is gone, the copy continues to exist. When a concept of suffering or happiness returns to our mind, it generates new impressions of desire or aversion, hope or fear, which we call reflective impressions because they arise from reflection. Reflective impressions are then stored in memory and imagination, becoming concepts that can produce other impressions and concepts. Therefore, reflective impressions only appear after their corresponding concepts, but come from sensory impressions. The most important reflective impressions that deserve our attention are desires, emotions, and sentiments, most of which originate from concepts. To explicate the nature and principles of the human mind, I use brushes and colors on canvas to create a series of reflective impression works that describe concepts in detail. We can study the relationship between impressions, concepts, and human nature through this series of works.
Introduction:
In the series of oil paintings titled "Order in Chaos in the Mirror," I aim to capture the subtle relationship between the images reflected in mirrors and the external world. Mirrors, being enigmatic tools, have the capacity to distort, reverse, magnify, or diminish the things we see, while also reflecting our inner emotions and perceptions.
Each painting explores the contrast and resonance between the world within the mirror and the external reality. By depicting scenes within the mirror, I seek to present phenomena of reflection that viewers may encounter, as well as the hidden meanings and symbols behind the mirror.
Technique and Medium:
For this series, I have chosen PVC mirrors as the painting medium. This choice not only emphasizes the theme of the artwork but also explores the diversity and innovation of artistic expression.
The characteristics of PVC mirrors allow the images not only to be painted on the surface but also to reflect the surrounding environment and the viewer's image. This dual-reflection effect adds a unique dimension to the artwork, enabling viewers to experience the relationship between the reflected world and reality more deeply.
By painting on PVC mirrors, I blend the real world with the world of art, presenting a novel visual experience. The images and scenes presented in the artwork are not only the imagination of the artist but also the projections of the viewer themselves, creating an immersive artistic experience.
Sculpture, Installation
The “Connotation” of Chinese Characters Series
THe “Connotation” of Chinese Charactersis extremely complex, embodying profound meanings and symbolic significance. These characters not only convey their literal meanings but also serve as metaphors and reflections of society, human nature, and historical culture.
The "inner meaning" depicted in the series of artworks goes beyond the superficial meanings of the characters, representing the artist's profound understanding and expression of society, human nature, and culture. As viewers appreciate the artworks, they are prompted to delve into the deeper meanings behind Chinese characters, showcasing the significance and influence of characters as cultural carriers. This series not only presents the aesthetic beauty of characters but also vividly demonstrates and interprets the profound meanings and symbolic significance inherent in Chinese characters.
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for more details!
Material: Stainless steel、Electronic board
Size: customizable
Year: 2020
Material: Stainless steel
Size: customizable
Year: 2018
Dialogues in Digital Age
In my series of sculptures titled "Dialogues in Digital Age," I delve into the pervasive influence of electronic devices and digital communication platforms on contemporary society. Through the personification of dialogue boxes in various forms and the incorporation of symbols and English letters to depict facial features and limbs, I aim to convey the disconnect and alienation that accompany our increasing reliance on technology for communication.
Each sculpture within the series represents a distinct manifestation of this theme, capturing the ubiquitous presence of electronic gadgets and the superficial interactions they facilitate. The stylized dialogue boxes, reminiscent of those found in messaging apps and social media platforms, serve as metaphors for the digital barriers that inhibit genuine human connection.
The symbols and letters comprising the facial features and limbs of the sculptures symbolize the fragmented nature of modern communication. In our fast-paced, digitized world, conversations have been reduced to abbreviated texts and emojis, devoid of the nuances and depth inherent in face-to-face interactions. This reductionism of communication reflects the broader trend of superficiality and instant gratification characteristic of contemporary culture.
Through this series, I seek to provoke reflection on the implications of our digital dependencies and the erosion of interpersonal relationships. By juxtaposing the cold, mechanized aesthetic of technology with the warmth and humanity of traditional communication, I aim to highlight the loss of intimacy and emotional connection in our increasingly virtual interactions.
Ultimately, "Dialogues in Digital Age" serves as a commentary on the need to reclaim authentic communication in an era dominated by screens and algorithms. By challenging viewers to confront the consequences of our technological obsessions, I hope to inspire a renewed appreciation for the richness of genuine human connection.
Reflections in the Age of AI
In this era of interconnectedness, clear insights have become a powerful force. Artificial intelligence and biotechnology are overturning traditional social structures and distribution methods, with data emerging as the most valuable resource. As tech giants often understand us better than we understand ourselves, and as living "online" becomes a way of life, how can we prevent data from falling into the hands of a few and becoming a tool of dominance? Is it possible to establish a global community that upholds human freedom and equality?
The development of artificial intelligence and biotechnology has granted humanity the ability to reshape and redesign life itself. Can the "intelligent beings" created by humans rise to become the rulers of the Earth?
Through this artwork, artists hope to engage in discussions about these crucial issues concerning the fate of humanity, including how we can utilize these technologies and abilities to alter the course of human destiny.
Art Exhibition
[What-why-how] Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition
[Hidden · Image] Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition Qiantang Bay Art Museum. 2021
[Nature and Illusion] Solo Exhibition
Shanghai Theatre Academy 2017
[Independent Thinking] Chinese and Western Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition
New York State Government Building 2019
Diverse Art Exhibition (Plaxall Gallery, New York) 2019
[Independent Thinking] Contemporary Art Exhibition
Yangzhou Overseas Chinese Town Art Center. 2019
39th New York Art Expo
(New York Pier94) 2017
" Autopoiesie " NY Contemporary Art Center. 2023
Welcome to my website!
I look forward to potential collaborations and staying connected in the future. Feel free to reach out anytime.
Mail：davidnycac@gmail.com
Call：1917-530-6118(U.S.A) 18942909097(China)
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