Ruby Chen

Born in Pingtung, Taiwan, 2001

New York University, New York, NY, 2023

Royal College of Art, London, United Kingdom 2026

Lives and Works in London, England

(b. 2001) Chen is a multidisciplinary artist working primarily in sculpture and painting. Drawing from psychoanalysis and cultural and economic theory, the artist examines how primal human compulsions - particularly those shaped by technology, consumption, and power - repeat themselves across historical and contemporary contexts. Chen’s academic background in social policy informs a materially driven practice that foregrounds the body as a site of both control and resistance. The artist’s works frequently incorporate humanoid materials such as animal fur, skin-textured rubber, synthetic hair, and industrial metal fixtures. These material juxtapositions generate visceral bodily responses and articulate the artist’s exploration of the unconscious and its entanglement with technological acceleration.

Chen’s work has recently been exhibited internationally by New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), NYC, LUmkA, London, and Alexia Project, Shanghai. The artist’s works have been featured in publications such as Flash Art, Elephant Art Magazine, Office Magazine, IMPULSE Magazine, and Hypebae, among others.

Works

Performance Piece 001
Performance Piece 001, 2023

Clay, crocheted chainmail, and aluminum plates

Dimensions variable

Morphous 003
Morphous 003, 2023

Charcoal paint, lingerie, clay, and plaster 13 x 5 dia. in.

Morphous 001
Morphous 001, 2023

Plaster, acrylic, varnish, and mixed media skeleton

25 in. dia. x 24 in

Morphous 002
Morphous 002, 2023

Plaster, acrylic, varnish, and mixed media skeleton

50 x 28 x 3 in.

Encountering Sorrow
Encountering Sorrow, 2024

Steel, graphite paint on concrete, ink on rice paper, speaker and sound (2:33 mins.) 23.5 × 16 × 16 inches

Hear the Voices That Beckon
Hear the Voices That Beckon, 2025

Resin, plaster, fur, metal, wires, light, security cameras, plastic, and latex

170 x 137 x 133 cm.

66.9 x 53.9 x 52.4 in

The Existence Outside
The Existence Outside, 2025

Resin, acrylic, wires, fur, metal cage, latex foam, chains, speakers and sound

167 x 70 x 83 cm

65.7 x 27.6 x 32.7 in

Cracked Skin
Cracked Skin, 2025

Oil on panel

30 x 30 cm

12 x 12 in

Those Who Cling Scraped Away by the Averted Gaze
Those Who Cling Scraped Away by the Averted Gaze, 2025

Oil on panel

40 x 20 cm

13 3/4 x 7 7/8 in

Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost, 2025

Oil on canvas

31.5 x 78.7 in

80 x 200 cm

Archive Fever
Archive Fever, 2026

Mild steel, sheepskin, copper, synthetic hair, plastic, rubber, and motor

135 x 97 x 60 cm

53 x 38.1x 10. 6 in

Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost, 2025

Reclaimed wood, acrylic paint, canvas scraps, vintage buttons, embroidery floss, found objects, resin, glitter, and textile dye

Dimensions variable