Obituary: Portrait artist Chen Yifei dies at 59

Marcus Lim · 04-11-2005, 02:38 AM

(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-11 08:43

Chen Yifei, a renowned artist who leveraged his fame to set up a business empire that included magazines, fashion brands, film production, a modeling agency and a restaurant in Xintiandi, died yesterday morning at Huashan Hospital from gastric hemorrhage. He was 59.

Chen Yifei died at 59, leaving his debut film "Barber" unfinished. [baidu]. "Chen was a talented man," lamented Peng Yangjun, a photographer with the Yifei Group. "He was quite utopian and always open to new things. Chen, in particular, intended to give young people opportunities for their future development."

Chen, who was born in Zhenhai, Zhejiang Province, in 1946, studied painting at the Shanghai Art Academy. He rose to prominence in China's art world in the 1960s and 70s for a series of oil paintings depicting historical events.

He moved to New York in 1980 - reportedly with only US$38 in his pocket - and he soon earned the attention of gallery owners in the city. In 1991, one of his works sold for 1.37 million yuan (US$164,400) at auction in Hong Kong.

Chen moved back to Shanghai in the early 1990s and began setting up his business empire, which includes Shanghai Tatler magazine, the Layefe and Leyefe fashion brands, and Yefe Home, an eatery in Xintiandi.

He also began making films, starting with a documentary about his life entitled "Old Dream on the Sea," which was screened at the first Shanghai International Film Festival in 1993.

He was in the middle of shooting a film called "Barber" when he was hospitalized earlier this year. The film was to star Jiang Wen and Ge You.

"Chen was a clever person," said a fellow artist who asked not to be identified, "He never spent a moment in silence."

"Chen's name was like a 'golden name,"' said Wu Meisen, who helped to turn Taikang Road, an area full of rundown warehouses and factories, into a gathering place for artists and gallery owners. Chen set up his own gallery on the street a few years ago.

"His decision to move here helped make Taikang Road the active scene it is now. I feel so sorry to hear he has passed away. He was too keen on every detail."

Chen's name regularly popped up in local newspapers, whether for his business achievements or due to gossip about his affairs with models.

Unlike many other local celebrities, Chen was more than happy to give out his mobile phone number to reporters.

"Just imagine the phone calls that he received every day from various newspapers and magazines," said Zhang Lixing, a local reporter, "The man was rather something."

Chen is survived by his second wife, Song Meiying, a former model, and their 6-year-old son. He is also survived by Chen Ling, a son from his first marriage.

Two mourning halls will be set up for Chen, one at his newly purchased villa on Longdongdadao, and another on Taikang Road.

"Life is like a long journey with many stations," Chen once said, "Sometimes you have to stop to unload or load something for the next station."

Sharon Knettell · 04-11-2005, 12:06 PM

Marcus,

Thank you for that interesting biography from another part of the world.

Do you have any examples of his work you can post?

SB Wang · 04-11-2005, 08:04 PM

A shocking news...Thank you for posting.
I talked with Chen Yi-Fei several times. He once invited me to work with him in New York. He said that after a painting completed, he felt very sick. He claims jokingly that he has a decease like a child love to be active.
Certainly it is a warning signal for those workaholic.

Marcus Lim · 04-11-2005, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Marcus,

Thank you for that interesting biography from another part of the world.

Do you have any examples of his work you can post?

Yes, he has a website...

http://chenyifei.com

Kimberly Dow · 04-11-2005, 11:02 PM

Thank you for posting this. This one is my favorite.

Jean Kelly · 04-12-2005, 12:34 AM

Yes, thank you Marcus. I went to his site and had to look at everything. His work is amazing!

Jean

Marcus Lim · 04-12-2005, 01:26 AM

Alas, another precious gift to the world is gone forever....

I've always regarded him, and other artists from Cultural Revolution period as living greats from China...other artists his generation include Chen Yan Ning and Hou Yi Min who are still alive.

I'm attaching another image by this artist Hou...hope i don't hear another one going off so soon.