Most of these paintings are destined to be sold in big box stores, art galleries, and placed in hotels worldwide. Marked up astronomically, buyers are often unaware of their origins. Lucky for us living in Shenzhen, we can buy these works of art at wholesale prices in our own backyard.
If your wall is bare and in need of some spice, you’ll be able to find almost anything you can imagine at Dafen. And if you can’t, just bring a photo; they can paint it for you. In fact, that’s how most paintings at Dafen are born. This is apparent in Pix2Oils, the only foreign-run business in the village.
Bailey O’Malley started the company one year ago, and has seen nothing but steady growth. The Australian just secured a lucrative contract with Broadway to produce stage backdrops, and is full of optimism. “I’ve seen the village move ahead and watched the management put Dafen on the world map!” he says enthusiastically.
Backing up this claim are several new attractions in the village. Firstly, a new museum opened last month, showcasing the works of both locals and foreign artists. Designed by reputed Chinese design firm Urbanus, the museum aims to lift Dafen’s status beyond that of a mere art factory.
Adjacent to the museum is a gargantuan wall of sculptures, recently unveiled at a cost of 5 million yuan (US$71,000). Finally, a new pedestrian street lined with coffee shops is also in the works.