Justin Qian

Justin Qian was born in Nanjing, China. He was one of the Educated Youth in 1968. After graduating in Nanjing University of the Arts, he became a lecturer in the university. He created a number of major artworks including a large granite sculpture ‘Mother and Child’ carved in 1986 in Suzhou City as well as a white marble sculpture ‘Textile Goddess’, carved in 1988 in Shengze City.

Justin Qian moved to Australia in 1991 and continued his practice as an artist in Sydney. He had since won numerous sculpture awards including being a finalist in the Wynne Prize at Art Gallery of NSW in 2006, the Blake Prize in 2007, and the Blacktown Arts Exhibition in 2004 and 2006. Justin Qian had also exhibited in Sculpture by the Sea in 2007 and 2008. He was also commissioned by the City of Sydney to design the Horse lantern that was exhibited as part of the Chinese New Year Festival at Martin Place in 2016 and near Circular Quay in 2017.

Art Atrium Exhibition Opening – Year of the Tiger Chinese New Year Exhibition

Art Atrium Exhibition Opening – Justin Qian – New Moon

Artwork

Simon Chan has established a reputation as a professional gallery director who has helped many aspiring artists by showing them in his Art Atrium Gallery. Mixing exhibitions of established artists with younger artists, he has created a perfect way to promote living artists in difficult times.

Simon has also endeavoured to get prominent figures in the art world to open his exhibitions, which is a good way to publicise and promote younger artists. I commend Simon’s activities, and hope that the artists he has promoted will not forget who first gave them a helping hand. It is the first step up which counts so much in today’s very competitive art world.

Lou Klepac OAM

Art historian, Author, Curator & Publisher

Art Atrium is the invention of Simon Chan, an Architect who has a passion for art, especially indigenous art and architectural drawings. He is one of the few people with the breadth of experience and opportunity to hold such shows at his gallery that demonstrate his discerning eye and appreciation for the unusual and the best of art.

Professor Philip Cox AO

Professor of Architecture UNSW & Founding Partner of Cox Architecture

Simon Chan is a practising architect with a passionate commitment to promoting contemporary art that reflects Australia’s multiculturalism, and in which Australian Indigenous art has an important dynamic presence. In 2009 he founded Art Atrium in Bondi Junction to provide a dedicated space that would allow him to share his artists’ works with audiences, and also to enjoy the physical experience of curating the exhibitions. I have observed the superb way he manages the launch of these events, and I know that all of his artists appreciate the encouragement and advice that he never hesitates to offer.

Dr. Mabel Lee PhD FAHA

Adjunct Professor of Chinese Studies, School of Languages & Culture A18, The University of Sydney

Simon has established an active platform at Art Atrium to encourage cross cultural expression and collaboration among artists from different cultural background. I was honoured to open an exhibition of Chinese Australian women artists, as well as to conduct an Artists in Conversation event when artists directly communicate with art lovers. His passion towards art goes beyond his Gallery, and leads him to generously support art endeavours in public art institutions. He offers guided tours as a Community Ambassador at Art Gallery of NSW, and also serves as a Director on the Board of VisAsia which plays a vital role in promoting Asian art in Australia.

Yin Cao

Curator of Chinese Art at ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

I love the paintings I have bought from Art Atrium - they have really struck a chord. It's also been an absolute pleasure talking with and buying from Simon; it's clear he's in it for the love of the art and that makes the whole experience so much less 'transactional' and more emotional.

Amanda Falconer

Management consultant & business storytelling specialist