Artist Roy Chen Inspires Dulwich Puxi with 'New Beginnings'

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi recently had the honor of hosting renowned contemporary artist Roy Chen (Chen Xuanrong) for an exciting collaboration with our students. Chen, known for his paintings and installations relating to pop culture and subcultures, was invited to work alongside our young artists on a project centered around the theme of 'New Beginnings.' This creative initiative was inspired by the new building that Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Senior School will be moving into this upcoming academic year, symbolising a fresh start.

About Roy Chen (Chen Xuanrong)

Roy (Xuanrong) Chen, was born in 1991 in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. He graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) with a master's degree and is currently living and working in Beijing. As an artist, Roy is deeply committed to creating paintings related to pop culture and subculture, making him an observer, researcher, and practitioner of trendy and youth culture.

Chen's solo exhibitions and projects include "Dope&Duang" (Song Art Museum, Beijing, 2020), "Freaking Awesome" (MoShang Gallery, Beijing, 2017), "Additional Works" (MoCA Taipei, Taipei, 2016), and "Breaking Free from The Fence" (OneHome How Art Hotel, Shanghai, 2016). His works have been collected by notable institutions such as CAFA Museum, CAFA Printmaking Department, Song Art Museum, How Art Museum, Longlati Foundation, Tomson Group, Huawei Group, and Prajna PROCHAIN.

Apart from his artistic endeavors, Roy Chen is also active in cross-border collaborations and has worked with prestigious brands like Range Rover, Ulysse Nardin, YOHO, NEOCHA, and BIGBANG. As a curator, he has planned large-scale art projects such as the 5POINTZ Reconstruction Plan (Ant Nest Art Museum, Zhangzhou), Out of the Mountains into the River: Zhangzhou Contemporary Painting Invitational Exhibition (Zhangzhou Art Museum, Zhangzhou, 2018), and View the World: Zhangzhou International Contemporary Art Exhibition (Zhangzhou Museum, Zhangzhou, 2017). Roy Chen's diverse experiences and accomplishments make him an influential figure in the world of contemporary art.

The collaboration offered our students an important opportunity to learn from a professional artist as they collaborated on a co-created work of art to grace the halls of our new building. Roy Chen's expertise and insight into the art creation process proved invaluable, as he helped guide and shape the students' work. The experience not only enhanced the students' artistic skills but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the creative journey.

The Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi community is incredibly grateful for Roy Chen's inspiring visit, which has left a lasting impact on our students. As they continue to explore their artistic talents, the lessons learned from this collaboration will undoubtedly serve them well. The final piece, celebrating 'New Beginnings,' will stand as a testament to the power of collaboration and will take its place as an important part of Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi history.

We extend our gratitude to Art Teacher, Ms Boshoff, for conceptualising and leading this collaborative project.