BIOGRAPHY
Ji Chen was born in Shanghai, China. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Shanghai Drama Academy in 1984, and later worked as chief set designer for the Beijing Opera Theater Company of China. His technical mastery showcased in his breath-taking landscapes quickly grew in reputation. Subsequently, his watercolor work, ‘pool’, was the recipient of a prestigious national award, and exhibited throughout China, which marked the beginning of his professional career as an artist.
Ji and his family arrived in Australia in 1989. For Ji, the vivid colors and brilliant light of the Australian landscape provided him an artistic subject like no other - ‘In Australia, the weather, and therefore the landscape, is the best teacher. I look and I learn’. Ji‘s artistic style is unique and instantly distinctive, comprising of broad, daring brush-strokes, juxtaposed with an almost ethereal softness and warmth, all the while born from a continuously evolving, fresh and unparalleled perspective. Whilst many of Ji’s artworks are imbued with a resounding and eternal affinity for the magnificent vistas and vast horizons of the Australian landscape, Ji often transcends his trademark artistic genre, as reflected by his monumental portraits, which comprise some of his most prized and highly sought-after works.
Ji Chen has been the recipient of some of the most prestigious art awards in Australia. In addition to art competitions, Ji has enjoyed many solo and group exhibitions in numerous art galleries across Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, London and United States. His works have also been featured in numerous publications, including The Australia Artist Magazine, which has featured his works on four occasions. His works are currently represented in collections within Australia and overseas
ARTIST STATEMENT
I look towards combining elements of bold Chinese calligraphic brush strokes and western oil painting techniques to manipulate my imaginings of the landscape. In my works, my mission is to showcase the dichotomies of the wild tenacity of nature and simple, calm milieus of everyday life. For me, simply capturing the contrast, light and depth is everything. I only hope to transform a pure scene from mother nature into something that encapsulates a sense of lasting impact, leaving the audience with more to desire.
Ji Chen CV
