Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Chen.
Dan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Hi, I was born in Qingdao, China, and spent my crazy study time in Shanghai, China, and Los Angeles, US. Those two cities inspired my artistic creation, especial the people who live there.
When I was a kid, my mom sent me to have a class of painting, because she found me addicted to drawing some “ugly,” “weird,” “strange” faces. Therefore, she thinks I probably very artistic. After I took a few lessons, my teacher asked my mom to come and have an “easy talk.” My teacher looked at me kindly, smiled at me, just like she is looking at a great artwork. I remember at that moment; when I look at her face, I deeply believe that I might be an artistic genius. However, reality always sobers me up. My teacher told my mom that I do not need to come to the future class because my drawing is too ugly to be true. At first, I was shocked, totally did not feel any hurt. I doubt that why art needs to be perfect, to be beautiful.
When I was 18, I decided to study broadcasting and television director in Shanghai theatre academy. I love movies and documentaries. I love to talk with people, to know their stories, which can help me to picture a person in my understanding. After I graduated, I found that I still have a passion for Fine arts on abstract art. And also, I cannot stop to think as a woman, what kind of life I should choose. Thus, I made a decision that I need to study abroad to experience a different life. I jumped in Fine arts without hesitation.
For me, as a foreigner to study a completely new major in a strange country is not just going well; it’s going to struggle. At first, I was stuck. I don’t know what should I do, what kind of form should I use? Should I give up using the camera just focus on one structure? In the first year of my study, I barely make a complete work. I tried a lot, photo, painting, sculpture, trying to figure out what form is better for my expression. The more I tried, the more I found that for art, the medium does not matter, what I want to talk about is the most important. After I realized that, I felt my passion again.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am always using multiple ways to present my thoughts. People’s faces always catch my attention, especially their expressions. I take photos of people, trying to collect people’s emotion; I spilled different people’s photos into small pieces, and then rearrange those photos. For doing this, I want to explore the position of people as individuals in society, particularly women. I am also attracted by the color I see, which becomes an essential feature in my work. In my point of view, different colors represent different meanings, and it makes people think differently, feel differently. That is the conversation I want to create between me and my work.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
For me, I was always struggling with if my works are ideally profession and trying to finish an artwork quickly. The end is always not good. Everything takes time, especially art; the more and deep you think, the more likely you are to know how you should communicate with your work, and the more accurate your expression will be. Just take time is the first lesson I wished I learned earlier.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I share my work on Instagram @dannncd; people also can find my work on my website https://www.danchenart.com. Please check my works out, and I will be grateful if you give me any responses or thoughts.
Contact Info:
- Address: 350 S Fuller Ave, APT3G, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Website: https://www.danchenart.com
- Phone: 6265891179
- Email: danchenart1@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dannncd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006434183663
Image Credit:
Dan Chen
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