Painting peace from bloody history of Manhattan street

Space tells own story

Unlike other graffiti street artists, Chen said he always builds a close connection with the space where he creates his art. "I believe that space tells its own story," he said.

Chen said he has no draft in mind before he paints. "Before I start to paint, I immerse myself in the space, wait for the right moment, and then let my brush guide me through my improvisational action painting," he said.

"Through the explosion of abstract lines and vivid colors, I wanted to bring an Eastern charm into my work by composing a song with exuberant and dynamic rhythms."

Born in Shandong province in East China in 1982, Chen earned a bachelor's degree in experimental art from the China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, in 2008.

Chen's work has been exhibited in the United States and China and he has participated in a variety of public art projects and large-scale space paintings in New York, Hangzhou, as well as Turin, Italy and Athens, Greece.

His recent exhibitions include: Chen Dongfan: Nevermore at Fou Gallery in New York (2018) and Chen Dongfan: Heated Bloom at Inna Art Space in Hangzhou (2017).