Chen Dongyan
FACTORY: Mimicry of PLANTS - samples (2024)
Watercolour on paper, embroidery with beads on glass petri dishes
Inspired by the rich diversity of Borneo's plant life, FACTORY: Mimicry of PLANT - Samples is an exploration of imaginary flora. While visiting Bako National Park and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre in Kuching, Chen gathered data, images, and information on various plant species. By blending botanical research with Sarawak's traditional beadwork culture, Chen crafted experimental embroidery using beads from Kuching to depict the shapes of these imaginary plants.
This work is part of Chen’s ongoing project, FACTORY, which explores a transmedia storyworld centered on a fictional biological laboratory, FACTORY. This project includes the illustration series 100 Ideas of HANDS and 100 Ideas of EYES. The watercolour paintings of plants will be continued as a new series of 100 ideas of PLANTS. Through this process, Chen investigates the roots of imaginary iconography from both artistic and cultural perspectives.
Chen Dongyan is a multidisciplinary artist based in Singapore. Her practice is primarily
based on video and installations, but also consists of various media such as drawing, writing,
sculptures, and photography. Her current research is focusing on exploring narrative
methodologies through storyworld with the mechanism of transmedia storytelling.
based on video and installations, but also consists of various media such as drawing, writing,
sculptures, and photography. Her current research is focusing on exploring narrative
methodologies through storyworld with the mechanism of transmedia storytelling.
Chen received a Bachelor(Hons) of Fine Art (First Class) from Central Saint Martins,
University of the Arts London in 2018, and Master of Arts Fine Arts (Distinction) from
LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore in 2024. She is the recipient of Dr Winston Oh Postgraduate Study Grant, LASALLE MA Merit Award in 2023, Winston Oh Travelogue Award in 2024, and participated in Tropical Lab 2024.
University of the Arts London in 2018, and Master of Arts Fine Arts (Distinction) from
LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore in 2024. She is the recipient of Dr Winston Oh Postgraduate Study Grant, LASALLE MA Merit Award in 2023, Winston Oh Travelogue Award in 2024, and participated in Tropical Lab 2024.