Chen Mei-Tsen artist
  • ARTIST
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • STATEMENT / CV
  • LINKS / CONTACT
  • IN FLUX (2026-2025)
  • FOUR HANDS WORKS (2025-2017)
  • UTOPIA (2024)
  • RHIZOME (2024-2022)
  • DRIFTING OVER TIME (2023)
  • MAISON (2020)
  • DRIFTING TIME (2020)
  • BLUEPRINTS (2018)
  • INTO THE BLUE (2017)
  • OUT OF THE BLUE (2017)
  • PARADISE (2017-2012)
  • FORMOSA ORCHID (2016)
  • SUTURE (2011-2006)
  • ASTRE (2009)
  • OCULAIRE (2007)
  • PLAT DU JOUR (2007)
  • M COMME MOISISSURE (2005-2003)
  • ASTEROIDES (2004)
  • M COMME MOON (2003)
  • LES PLIS (2001)
  • FOSSILES (2001)
  • LES REPLIS (2001)
STATEMENT
“What is near cinnabar turns red, and what is near ink turns black.” This Chinese proverb speaks to the profound influence that our environment exerts on who we become. Having lived in France for more than thirty years and traveled through cities across many countries, I have often reflected on how these places have shaped my life and artistic vision.

As the daughter of an architect, I developed an early sensitivity to space, structure, and the built environment—an influence that continues to shape my artistic practice. My artworks form a personal cartography of years spent living and traveling abroad, a visual diary of encounters, movements, and transformations. Through them, I explore the construction of identity, where lived experiences and childhood memories re-emerge as intertwined, shifting lines. My work is rooted in a search for traces and origins, investigating the foundations of a constructive nomadism shaped by place, movement, and memory.

I am deeply aware of Taiwan’s layered colonial history, reflected in the coexistence of architectural forms from different eras throughout Taipei. As an islander, I have long sought to transcend the physical boundaries of my territory through encounters with other cultures. For me, identity is shaped as much by movement as by belonging. I navigate cities like roots seeking nourishment beneath the soil, weaving connections across places, memories, and experiences. Like a rhizome, I construct my own network of relationships, a cartography that gradually evolves into a dreamscape where disparate worlds converge. Through my work, I portray cities as living organisms in constant transformation, while exploring how these evolving urban landscapes shape my own sense of identity.

​Using digital maps as tools for exploration, I revisit the streets of numerous cities as if retracing the stages of an inner journey. Enriched by centuries of cultural exchange, these urban environments have developed architectural and social structures that resemble living organisms, weaving vital networks that evolve over time into expansive and ever-changing topographies. As an urban nomad, I traverse roads and oceans from above, moving through clouds that emerge from a metaphorical cartography of energy. Constantly connected to my environment and to other living beings, and inspired by both natural phenomena and scientific inquiry, my work oscillates between the microcosm and the macrocosm. It is grounded in an aesthetic of movement, connection, and trajectory.
CHEN Mei-Tsen

Born in Taipei, Taiwan
Lives and works in Paris, France


​EDUCATION

1993–1995
— École Supérieure des Études Cinématographiques (ESEC), Paris, France.
1991–1992
— École Nationale des Arts de Cergy-Pontoise (National School of Arts), France.
1985–1990
— Department of Fine Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei, Taiwan.


SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2026
— Maison, Vibrantology Galleria, Taipei, Taiwan.
2025
— Drifting Over Time, La Science de l’Art, Atelier CMT, Paris, France.
— FOCUS Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, United Kingdom. (solo booth)
— FOCUS Art Fair, Chelsea Industrial, New York, United States. (solo booth)
2024
— Paradise, Personal Structures Art Biennial, Palazzo Bembo - European Cultural Centre, Venice, Italy. (solo project)
— Rhizomes, BOA Gallery, Paris, France. (duo exhibition)
2023
— Into the Blue, Julia Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan.
2021
— Arbres Vasculaires en Métamorphose, La Science de l'Art, Atelier CMT, Paris, France.
2019
— Plat du Jour, Le Magic Hall, Rennes, France.
2014
— Between Taipei and Paris, Galerie Grand Siècle, Taipei, Taiwan.
2009
— Starry Sky, Ching-Shang Poliform, Taipei, Taiwan.
— Starry Sky, Galerie Grand Siècle, Taipei, Taiwan.
2008
— Galerie 91, Paris, France. 
— Cloître des Billettes, Paris, France.
2007
— Espace Larith, Chambéry, France.
2005
— Espace Mezzara - Hôtel Hector Guimard, Paris, France.
2004
— Entre Ciel et Terre, Septmoncel City Hall, Jura, France. (duo exhibition)
— Année de la Chine, Poligny Cultural Centre, Jura, France. (duo exhibition)
2003
— Condorcet Cultural Space, Viry-Chatillon, France. (duo exhibition)


SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2026

— Personal Structures Art Biennial, Palazzo Mora - European Cultural Centre, Venice Italy.
​2025
— The Interval Between, Galerie Pierre, Taichung, Taiwan.
— A 4 Mains, Topographie de l’Art, Paris, France.
2024
— The Temptation to Transcend Boundaries, Palazzo-Capello, Venice, Italy.
2023
— A Foodi’s Wonderland, Vibrantology Galleria, Taipei, Taiwan.
— Boundless: Transitions, Art in Perpetuity Trust Gallery, Deptford, London, United Kingdom.
— Si Loin, Si Proche, Fondation La Ruche-Seydou, Paris, France.
— Au-delà des Frontières, Kulturhaus, Diekirch Historical Museum, Luxembourg.
2022
— Liberalitas, Galerie Wagner, Paris, France.
— 50 years Luxembourg – China, Art Work Circle / XunArt gallery, Luxembourg.
— Entre (Fil)les, Galerie Wagner, Paris, France.
2021
— Age of Uncertainty, Virtual exhibition, United Kingdom.
2018
— Découpages, Espace Christine Peugeot, Paris, France.
— Trajectoires et Déplacements, Cachan Biennial of Contemporary Art, France.
2016
— Makro Kosmos, Galerie Toutes Latitudes, Vincennes, France.
— Intimate Transgressions, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan.
— Intimate Transgressions, Hangzhou Library, Hangzhou, China.
— Struggle, Sanwei Art Center, Shanghai, China.
— Identity, Emerging Arts Research Center, 798, Beijing, China. 
— Birth of a Nation, Ning Space, 798, Beijing, China.
2015
— Intimate Transgressions, Inter Gallery, 798, Beijing, China.
— Sailing to Byzantium, Leyden Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
— Transversales B, Barclays Victor Hugo, Paris, France.
— Intimate Transgressions, WhiteBox Gallery, New York, United States.
— Regards Croisés, Barclays Centre Premier George V, Paris, France.
— A Meditation in a Time of War, Dong Yue Art Museum, Beijing, China. 
— Golden Fleece, Inter Art Centre, Beijing, China.
— Mémoire & Sublimation, Galerie Médicis, Paris, France.
2014
— Rêver la terre, Galerie Episodique, Paris, France.
— Art Fair Taichung, Taiwan.
— Material World, Loftooo Gallery, Shanghai, China.
— Convergence 2014, 3C Creative Mall, Beijing, China.
2013
— Between Europe and Asia, Shiryaevo Biennial of Contemporary Art, Russia.
2012
— The City & The City, A.P.T. Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
— Hidden Meanings, Yan Chao Collection Gallery, Guomao, Beijing, China. 
— Intimate Revolution, Siemens Arts Space, 798, Beijing, China.
2011
— Résonances, Salle d’Anchin, Douai, France.
— Résonances, La Poudrière 1669, Saint Venant, France.
— Heart Outside Body, Times Art Museum, Beijing, China.
— Heart Outside Body, Sint Niklaas Fine Arts Academy, Belgium.
2010
— Nord Art 2010 - Kunst in der Carlshütte, Büdelsdorf, Germany.
2009
— Cabinet de Curiosités, Galerie Toutes Latitudes, Vincennes, France.
— Taokan moving bricks, East Side Gallery, Berlin, Germany.
— Life & Dream, China Pingyao International Photography Festival, China.
— Young Art Taipei - Contemporary Hotel Art Fair, Taipei, Taiwan.
— Duel Regard - The Views from Taiwanese Women's Arts, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan.
2008
— Femme, jardin secret, pays lointain, Galerie Sinitude, Paris, France.
— Cologne Art. Fair 21 – Messe Für Aktuelle Kunst, Germany.
— Art Karlsruhe – Klassische Moderne und Gegenwartskunst, Germany.
2007
— A Table, Galerie Toutes Latitudes, Vincennes, France.
2006
— Sauvez des Zoos, Galerie Toutes Latitudes, Vincennes, France. 
— Estampa – XIV Salón Internationale del Grabado, Madrid, Spain.
2005
— Rue des Granges, Mollans-sur-Ouvèze Festival, France. 
— Six Femmes dans l’Art, UNESCO, Paris, France.
2004
— Hors des Sentiers Battus, Festival in MK2 Bibliothèque, Paris, France.
2003
— Gravure et des Nouvelles Images, Sarcelles International Biennial, France. 
— Nouvelles tendances, Taiwan Cultural Centre in Paris, France. 
— Galerie Cathay, Paris, France.
2002
— Invitation au Voyage, Aumont, Jura, France.
— Salon des Grands et Jeunes d’Aujourd’hui, Paris, France.
— Salon d’Art Contemporain, Viry-Chatillon, France.
2001
— Salon d’Automne, Paris, France.
— Altered Dialog Between Time and Life, Julia Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan.
— Salon des Grands et Jeunes d’Aujourd’hui, Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris, France.
— Salon d’Art Contemporain de Montrouge, France.
2000
— Clinique: La thérapie de groupe par le minéral, Forum St Eustache, Paris, France.


SPECIAL PROJETS & COLLABORATIONS

2022-2026 
—  Four-hands collaboration with Peter Klasen, culminating in the L'Acier / La Soie series. Presented at Topographie de l'Art, Paris, France.
2013 
— Collaborated with Yaacov Agam on the production of Beyond the Invisible at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan.


AWARDS & HONORS

2024 
— European Cultural Centre Award, Painting & Mixed Media Category, Personal Structures Art Biennial in Venice, Italy.
2002 
— Prix Salon d’Art Contemporain, Viry-Chatillon, France.


COLLECTIONS

Public Collection
— Art Museum of China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Private collections
— France, United Kingdom, Spain, United States, China, Taiwan.


SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

​2025
— Jenny LEE, Mei-Tsen Chen: Fluid Structures, essay for the solo exhibition at FOCUS Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, United Kingdom.
2023
— Marc-Williams DEBONO, Au-delà du Bleu, essay for the solo exhibition "Into the Blue" at Julia Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan.
​​2008
— Jean-Louis POITEVIN, La Nuit Prometteuse, essay for the solo exhibition at Cloître des Billettes, Paris, France.
2007
— Jean-Paul GAVARD-PERRET, Mei-Tsen Chen : Figures, Traces, Strates... Chemin de l'Intime du Zero à l'Infini, essay for the solo exhibition at Espace Larith, Chambéry, France.


SELECTED INTERVIEWS

​2026
— 10 Questions With Mei-Tsen Chen, Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art, February 9, Barcelona, Spain.
2025
— Xintian Tina WANG, What Does AI Understand About Fine Art? Design Observer, New York, United States.
2023
​— Paul ESCUDIER, Mei-Tsen Chen, Argument - Art and Literature Magazine, October - December, Paris, France.
2016
— Mei-Tsen Chen, figure de l'artiste nomade, Le Prisme Magazine, April, Paris, France.


SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

​2026
— Jenny LEE, In Flux: Where Lines Becomes Currents, in "Personal Structures" - Venice Art Biennial Catalogue, European Cultural Centre Italy.
2025
​— Renaud FAROUX, Peter Klasen et Mei-Tsen Chen: la fusion corrosive des éléments, in "À 4 Mains" Catalogue, Topographie de l'Art, Paris, France.
2024
— Marc-Williams DEBONO, Chen Mei-Tsen, Paradise, in "Personal Structures" - Venice Art Biennial Catalogue, European Cultural Centre Italy.
— LEE Jing-Hua, The Spiritual Connection of Entanglement, Separation, and Regathering, article for the solo exhibition "Into the Blue" at Julia Gallery in Taipei, ARTCO Monthly & Investment, Taiwan.
​2023
— TSAI Chao-Yi, The Moving Points of Origin: "Into the Blue" and Chen Mei-Tsen's Creative Quest, essay for the solo exhibition "Into the Blue" at Julia Gallery in Taipei, ARTouch Magazine, Taiwan.
— HUANG Hai-Ming, Intercity Nomadic Cultural Identity, essay for the solo exhibition "Into the Blue" at Julia Gallery in Taipei, ARTCO Monthly & Investment, Taiwan.
2014
— LIN Hsin-Yueh, Weaving a Dream in the Network of "Reinvented Earthly Paradise"— Writing before Meitsen's Solo Exhibition, essay in "A Solo Exhibition by Chen Mei-Tsen, Reinvented Earthly Paradise - Between Taipei and Paris" Catalogue, Galerie Grand Siècle, Taipei, Taiwan.
​2006
— CHEN Mei-Tsen, Monograph, Taipei, Taiwan.
2005
— Hélène BONAFOUS-MURAT, excerpt from an interview, no. 225, Le Journal des Arts, Paris, France.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: 陳美岑 Chen Meitsen
Instagram: @meitsen668
​
Copyright 2026 Chen Mei-Tsen
  • ARTIST
  • BIOGRAPHY
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • STATEMENT / CV
  • LINKS / CONTACT
  • IN FLUX (2026-2025)
  • FOUR HANDS WORKS (2025-2017)
  • UTOPIA (2024)
  • RHIZOME (2024-2022)
  • DRIFTING OVER TIME (2023)
  • MAISON (2020)
  • DRIFTING TIME (2020)
  • BLUEPRINTS (2018)
  • INTO THE BLUE (2017)
  • OUT OF THE BLUE (2017)
  • PARADISE (2017-2012)
  • FORMOSA ORCHID (2016)
  • SUTURE (2011-2006)
  • ASTRE (2009)
  • OCULAIRE (2007)
  • PLAT DU JOUR (2007)
  • M COMME MOISISSURE (2005-2003)
  • ASTEROIDES (2004)
  • M COMME MOON (2003)
  • LES PLIS (2001)
  • FOSSILES (2001)
  • LES REPLIS (2001)