Chris AshtonIn news that has us chomping at the bit for a trip to Melbourne, Art Series Hotel Group has announced the name and opening date of its eighth art-inspired hotel – The Chen.
Set to open this November, The Chen is named after and inspired by Australian artist Zhong Chen. It will be centre stage to Whitehorse Towers, the tallest development outside of the Melbourne CBD, in the emerging suburb of Box Hill.
The hotel will reflect and celebrate the ethnic diversity of the area, with Chen’s vibrant works celebrating his transcultural identity.
Chen made the move from China to Australia in 1989 at the age of 19. His bold art marries Western expressions with Chinese traditions in a loose and fun way, using large colourful brushstrokes to create a flamboyant yet relaxed tone.
With 100 rooms across five floors, the hotel will also feature a rooftop pool, gym, events centre, car park and four food and beverage outlets, including Melbourne’s best Yum Cha.
The Chen takes its design cues from Chen’s Kung Fu series, with a combination of originals and digital archival fine art editions featuring throughout the hotel. Chen notes another important artwork that will feature in the property Rooster, which is a particularly auspicious and lucky piece given Chen was born in the year of the Rooster (1969) and the hotel will open in the year of the Rooster (2017).
Zhong Chen Says; “I have lived and worked in Box Hill for nearly a decade. I am passionate about my community and its emergence as a cultural powerhouse outside of Melbourne. To have a hotel of such significance, opening in the year of my birth sign is a true honour. I look forward to meeting guests and seeing how they interact with the hotel and my artworks. It is sure to be a surreal experience.”
Find out more at artserieshotels.com.au
