"My work is not based on seeking a realistic representation–instead, it’s as you describe it, a parallel reality–but I don’t know where it might head in the future." — Chen FeiBased in Beijing, China, Chen Fei belongs to the post-1980 generation of Chinese artists who were raised under the one-child policy and witnessed China’s tremendous economic growth. His work is largely influenced by popular mainstream culture such as manga and anime. Chen Fei’s background and education in film school are reflected in his paintings, which resemble film stills. Chen’s painting narratives are often black-humoured fantasies situated in realism and surrealism all at once. His work is filled with political satire commenting on China’s cultural and economic development, and how it has impacted globalisation. The artist often depicts himself within his paintings as a form of self-mocking and self-criticism. The details in his work draw the viewer in, until one realises what the subject of the painting really is.
Chen Fei has been honoured with multiple solo shows in the past years including at Galerie Perrotin, New York (2019), Galerie Urs Meile, Switzerland (2016) and Today Art Museum, Beijing (2011).