Photo source Watari-um
CHEN Fei Solo Exhibition : Father and Child
- Exhibition dates : July 3 (Thu.) – October 5 (Sun.), 2025
- Closed on Mondays (open on Jul.21, Aug.11, Sep.15)
- Open Hours : 11:00-19:00
- Admission Fee : Adults 1,500 yen / Pair discount 2,600 yen / Student (high school to 25 years), Seniors (70 years and over), Visitors with disabilities, their caregiver (up to 1) with ID 1,300 yen / Children (elementary to junior high) 500 yen
- Organizer/ Venue : WATARI-UM, The Watari Museum of Contemporary Art
- Cooperation : PERROTIN
Profile photo from the documents of “Father and Child”
The Chinese-born artist Chen Fei, now based in Beijing, presents his latest solo exhibition Father and Child at the WATARI-UM Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo. Organized in collaboration with Perrotin Tokyo, the show reveals the intimate and universal ways his practice engages with the world.
At the heart of the exhibition, Chen Fei claim I’d Like to Begin with Love Sonnets, a deeply personal work that anchors the narrative of the show. Chen recalls the moment of his daughter’s premature birth, weighing less than two pounds. Fragile and in need of constant care, her early days became a turning point in the artist’s life. Unexpectedly, Chen found himself keeping meticulous notes of her bowel movements. A tender, almost absurd detail that underscores the raw realities of fatherhood.
Through Father and Child, Chen Fei transforms private memory into universal reflection. His works speak of vulnerability, responsibility, and love – bridging the personal and the collective, and reminding viewers how art can root itself in lived experience while reaching out to the broader world.
Reflecting on how this series began, Chen Fei recalls:
“I was scrolling through my phone for something else that I stumbled across that forgotten archive—hundreds of diaper photos, each showing a different form and color. They seemed almost like a language. Before my daughter could speak, perhaps she was already saying: ‘Daddy, I’m fine today. Look how perfect the shape is,’ or ‘Daddy, I’m not feeling so well… the color’s a little off.’ I didn’t recoil. Instead, I felt a quiet tenderness. Looking at them all together, it felt less like documentation and more like a long poem. I’m well aware this is a father’s gaze—what touches me may not move anyone else. But I still felt an irresistible need to give it form.”
Photo source Watari-um
Chen Fei’s paintings have always been realistic, yet vibrant and full of life. I first encountered his work in Taiwan last year during Taipei Dangdai. Each modern gallery hosted collaborative exhibitions showcasing many emerging Chinese artists, and Chen Fei was among them. I was immediately struck by his use of color, his technique, and how humorous and lively his paintings felt. It was truly captivating.
Photo by Artpreciate
Chen Fei’s paintings are a vivid celebration of life, where realism meets exuberant color and humor. His meticulous technique and cinematic compositions invite viewers into a world that is both surreal and intimately personal. Recognized for his exceptional talent, Chen Fei received the Martell Art Fund’s Focus on Talent award in 2012, underscoring his significant contribution to contemporary art. As an artist who continually pushes boundaries, Chen Fei stands out as a truly unique voice in the art world.