“You can get a feeling of intrigue and happiness in this space [Longan Art Space],” said U.S. artist Ken Malson, one of the founders of the art space.

Ken Malson and Bella Zhang pose for a photo in front of their artworks in their studio in Longan Art Space, Longhua District. Photos by Sun Yuchen

Longan Art Space, nestled in New Who Art Village in Guanlan, Longhua District, is an art space and a working studio which is managed by artists Ken Malson and Bella Zhang, who prefers to be addressed as Bella.

The facade of Longan Art Space.

Half of the 200-square-meter space is devoted to showing artworks of visiting artists. This section is open to proposals from other artists and will hold exhibitions every month.

Bella looks at one of her paintings in her solo exhibition in Longan Art Space.

“This space is full of imaginative works of art in many different disciplines,” Malson said. Since its establishment in 2019, the space has presented a wide range of artworks, including sculptures, paintings, collages and assemblages from artists of different countries and regions.

The other half of the space is devoted to making and displaying artworks by Malson and Bella.

Malson and Bella work on a painting.

The Chinese artist Bella just has finished her solo exhibition which presented her 28 paintings. She made a transition from a fashion designer to a new star in the art world under Malson’s guidance.

Malson began his artistic creations when he was attending Wichita State University in the U.S. where he received his bachelor’s degree in the Department of Sculpture. His artworks cover many disciplines, including furniture, painting, printmaking and sculptures.

Malson was invited to Shenzhen for a furniture development project in 2010. The different culture and materials found in the city helped him come up with new ideas. “There are lots of industrial things around here,” he said. “I’d like to find recycled items that I can put it to my art. I also really enjoyed working with the craft items that Chinese people use like bamboos.”

Now, he has made New Who Art Village his home. “The community is grown a lot. We have new restaurants, new galleries. It’s a fun place to visit,” Malson said. The art village is home to about 60 local and international artists.