Chen Wei constructs personal narratives using found objects, fabricated props and staged scenes, all of which are meticulously constructed and assembled inside his studio. Evoking recurring motifs, memories and dreams, every image is a fiction and a story in itself. In the fictional scenes of objects, interiors and nocturnal cityscapes, Chen exposes the psychological and socio-political characters of contemporary China: collective yearning for betterment, disillusionment of consumerist desires, and a nostalgia for a haphazardly erased past. Besides photography, Chen also creates multi-media installations that act as an extension of his studio practice; his LED sculptures are particularly reminiscent of urban living experiences.
Chen’s solo exhibitions include “Make me illusory” at West Bund Art Museum (Shanghai, 2021), “The Last Night” at Blindspot Gallery (Hong Kong, 2021), “Good Night” at HOW Art Museum (Shanghai, 2021), “Chen Wei: The Club” at Centre for Contemporary Photography (Melbourne, 2017), “Noon Club” at JNBY Foundation (Hangzhou, 2016) and “Chen Wei: In the Waves” at K11 chi art museum (Shanghai, 2015). Chen has also participated in group exhibitions at Yuz Museum (Shanghai, 2023), White Rabbit Gallery (Sydney, 2023), The Cloud Collection (Nanjing, 2023), He Art Museum (Guangdong, 2022), Wuhan Art Museum (Wuhan, 2021), 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (Kanazawa, 2020), Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung (Munich, 2020), Tai Kwun Contemporary (Hong Kong, 2019), Asia Society Texas Center (Houston, 2016), Museum Folkwang (Essen, 2015), Stavanger Art Museum (Stavanger, 2014), Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (Beijing, 2013) and Seoul Museum of Art (Seoul, 2006).
Chen currently lives and works in Beijing.
