David Chen - Painting Judge 2026

David Chen was born in China and holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in Fine Arts.  David taught Fine Arts at university for several years. In 1998, he became the first person in Chinese history to hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Art Education. Late in 1988, he was appointed an editor at the People's Fine Art Publishing House in Beijing where he edited several art magazines. 

In 1989, the French embassy in Beijing invited him to hold a solo exhibition, however, the exhibition was cancelled and his work was banned, as he endured the difficult political climate in China after the events of June 1989. The BBC in Britain and Newspaper in Hong Kong reported David's story. He later emerged as a respected artist and went on to win national and international acclaim. He was selected to participate in '100 Famous Chinese Artists', a worldwide travelling exhibition in 1991. The painting 'Hope' won the first prize at national art competition in Beijing in 1991, and in 1992, his painting 'Path to My Home Town' won the top award at the Fourth International Art Contest, Nice, France. It was added to the Permanent Collection of the Chinese Government. 

David arrived in Melbourne in early 1993. He was invited to be a part of HYDRA Art group, funded by the Australian Government and Art Council. Since coming to Melbourne, David has worked as a full-time artist. As well as conducting various painting workshops, he has held several exhibitions. In 1994, his three works were exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria. 

In 2001, his beach painting 'At Noon' was exhibited at the National Museum of Canberra, and selected to be hung at the Unite Nation Conference in New York. David has won many prizes, including the Camberwell Art Show 2013 winner for 'Best In Show', with his painting titled 'Memory of Princess Bridge'. He also achieved the 'Best in Show' in Victor Harbour in 2011. He is a member of the Australian guild of Realist Artists judging panel. As a renowned judge, he has judged many art shows, including the Camberwell Art Show 2014.

David's work is represented in Private, Corporate, and Municipal Collections throughout Australia and overseas. 

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