David Chen was born in China and holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in Fine Arts. He studied a nine year art Curriculum in seven years as a dedicated Academic. He was awarded art scholarship three times from 1981-1985. David taught Fine Arts at university for several years. In 1988, he became the first person in China history to hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Art Education. Late in 1988 he was appointed an editor at the Peoples’ Fine Art Publishing House in Beijing where he edited several art magazines.
In 1989 the French embassy in Beijing invited him to hold a solo exhibition, however, the exhibition was cancelled and his work banned as he endured the difficult political climate in China after the events of June 1989. The BBC in Britain and Newspaper in Hong Kong reported David’s story. He later emerged as a respected artist and went on to win national and international acclaim. He was selected to participate in ‘100 Famous Chinese Artists’, a worldwide travelling exhibition in 1991. The painting “Hope” won the first prize at national art competition In Beijing 1991, and in 1992 his painting “Path To My Home Town” won the top award at the Fourth International Art Contest, Nice, France. It was permanently collected by The Chinese Government.
David arrived in Melbourne in early 1993. He was invited to be part of the HYDRA Art Group that was funded by the Australian Government and Art Council. Since coming to Melbourne, David has worked as a full time artist. As well as conducting various painting workshops, he has held several exhibitions. In 1994 his three works was exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria.
In 2001 his beach painting “At Noon” was exhibited at national museum in Canberra and selected to be hung at the Unite Nation Conference in New York.
David has won many prizes including the Camberwell Art Show 2013 winner for “Best in Show” with his painting titled “Memory of Princess Bridge.” He also achieved the “Best in Show” in Victor Harbour 2011. He is a member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists judging panel. As a renowned judge, he has judged many art shows including the Camberwell Art Show 2014.
David’s work is represented in Private, Corporate and Municipal Collections in Australia and overseas.
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