Jun Chen: The Texture of Energy Across Paint and Time

Jun Chen is a Chinese-Australian artist renowned for his expressive impasto oil paintings that vividly capture landscapes, florals, and portraits. Born in Guangzhou, China, in 1960, Chen began painting in oils at the age of 16 and later studied traditional Chinese brush painting at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. After migrating to Australia in 1990, he settled in Brisbane and completed a Master of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) at the Queensland University of Technology in 1996.

Chen’s distinctive technique involves applying thick layers of undiluted oil paint with a palette knife, foregoing the use of brushes entirely. His richly textured works celebrate the vibrancy of nature, featuring subjects such as blooming jacarandas, lush gardens, and serene water lilies. He places strong emphasis on color and emotional resonance, allowing his feelings in the moment to guide his palette.

Over the course of his career, Chen has held more than 20 solo exhibitions across Australia and has been a multiple-time finalist in Australia’s most prestigious art prizes — including nine times in the Archibald Prize, with a high commendation in 2017, and five times each in the Wynne and Sulman Prizes. His work is held in significant public collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, and Parliament House in Canberra, as well as in major institutions in China.

Represented by leading galleries across Australia, Jun Chen continues to make a profound contribution to contemporary Australian painting with his dynamic and emotive style.

Major Collections Holding Jun Chen’s Work:

• Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney

• National Portrait Gallery, Canberra

• Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra

• University of Queensland Art Museum, Brisbane

• Gold Coast City Art Gallery (now part of HOTA – Home of the Arts)

• Museum of Brisbane

• Shen Zhen Guan Shan-yue Art Museum, China

• Guangzhou Art Gallery, China