Fri Oct 04 04:59:18 UTC 2024: ## Former Mediacorp Actor Chen Xi Launches Pop-Up Art Shop in London
**LONDON** – Chen Xi, son of local stars Xiang Yun and Edmund Chen, has taken a leap into the art world, setting up his first pop-up art shop in London. The 33-year-old, who is currently studying arts management at King’s College London, shared his exciting new venture on Instagram.
The pop-up, located in the bustling Angel district, saw Chen Xi showcasing his own art alongside work by his Japanese fiancée Mimi. The video he posted on Instagram captured him painting on site, drawing a crowd of onlookers who were eager to see his process.
“It hit me again today: Art is all about connecting with people,” wrote Chen Xi. “What I’m really leaving with? New vibes, fresh faces, and that spark for my craft reignited.”
Chen Xi revealed that the idea for the pop-up was sparked after he was featured in a viral Instagram reel by popular UK artist Luke Adam Hawker. The two connected after their chance encounter and decided to collaborate, creating a pop-up that embodied their shared belief in the power of art to connect people.
Mimi, Chen Xi’s fiancée, played a crucial role in the pop-up’s success. Not only did she provide support, but also contributed her own artwork to the collection. “My fiancée was super helpful,” Chen Xi gushed. “She helped carry the chunk of stock down which was super heavy, and helped out with the sales and the filming too. She also draws very well, so actually it’s a combined pop-up. All the cute coloured watercolour work was done by her. The kids love her work!”
Despite not expecting huge sales, Chen Xi was thrilled with the results. His artwork, priced at around 38£ (S$65), proved popular, and he even took on commissioned pieces. “We actually broke even and there were profits in the end!” he shared.
The experience, however, came at a cost, as Chen Xi ended up with a bad backache from all the hard work. He joked, “I crashed the next day with a bad backache.”
Chen Xi’s pop-up art shop is a testament to his passion for art and his desire to connect with others. It’s a venture that promises to bring both creativity and community to the vibrant streets of London.
First Piper 