Our First Artist Alley Takeover: Chankalun
Located within our Small Business Innovation Hub, the Artist Alley is a space where creativity and culture go hand in hand. For generations, art has been a powerful tool of cultural resistance and preservation in Chinatown, seen in everything from the murals that decorate our streets to the continued practice of traditional arts like calligraphy, tailoring, and Chinese opera. Chinatown has long been a space for home-grown expressions of arts and culture.
Our Artist Alley is a dedicated space for young AAPI designers, creatives and beyond to explore, showcase, and engage the public with their art. At a time when Chinatown is facing pressures of change, this space serves as a beacon of cultural pride and innovation. It is our vision for the Artist Alley to be a platform where young AAPI artists and designers can connect with the community, using their art to both reflect and celebrate the essence of Chinatown.
By creating this space, we aim to bridge the vibrant community of Chinatown with the art it inspires—a place where tradition and modern expression come together to keep the heart of our culture alive.
Beginning in October we will debut our very first Artist Alley Takeover, with Hong-Kong based artist, Chankalun!
Chankalun (陳家倫), is a female neon artist thriving in the traditionally male-dominated industry, explores the fusion of new technology in her captivating neon designs. Known as an "art-vocate" by National Geographic, her art goes beyond aesthetics; her works transcend traditional neon to address important issues and inspire change.
With the quest to master the art of neon, she ventured globally, learning from six different neon light masters and artists, a journey chronicled in "The Neon Girl" project. Beyond private commissions, her art encompasses 2 distinct collections: "Silhouette," celebrating body positivity, "Sustainability," fostering environmental consciousness, "Blue and White" reinterpreting traditional Chinese blue and white ceramics with contemporary motifs.
In October 2023, she began a diploma in neon-making at Lycée Dorian in Paris. This milestone not only enhances her technical expertise but also empowers her to advocate for Hong Kong's neon policy. Utilizing the unique French neon-making technique, she has developed an experimental Chinese calligraphy neon style for her "Blue and White" collection. Through resilience and innovative experimentation, her mission is clear: to keep the neon legacy vibrant and enduring.
Welcome to Chinatown will be hosting an Artist Talk with Chankalun & Carnby Fair on October 1st from 6pm-8pm at 115 Bowery. Learn more + RSVP here!
Chankalun’s Artist Alley Takeover is part of our NYC X Hong Kong Artist Exchange in partnership with Carnaby Fair.
