Darian (Yijian) Duan (born December 12, 1974) is a Chinese painter from Jiangsu Province. He holds a Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Fine Arts, Nanjing Normal University, and has established an independent career dedicated to artistic creation.
Under the guidance of his teachers, Darian (Yijian) Duan gradually embarked on an independent path of artistic exploration and creation.
His early works centered on traditional Chinese ink painting, calligraphy, and porcelain painting, later extending to oil painting and related media. His artistic practice integrates traditional techniques of painting and calligraphy with contemporary approaches, incorporating elements of expressionism, surrealism, abstraction, and graffiti to express freedom and stylistic diversity.
Through cross-media experimentation, he has demonstrated a distinctive curiosity and creative vitality. In recent years, he has been based in Melbourne, Australia, where he continues to develop and exhibit his work.
2011– In October, published “Collected Works of Darian Duan’s Chinese Paintings”and held a launch ceremony.
2011– In November, curated and organized the large-scale exhibition "The First Reshaping Oriental Aesthetics in Nanjing Province.
2012– In December, held "Resonant Brush and Ink: Contemporary Young Artists —Guobao Wu & Yijian
Duan"calligraphy and painting joint exhibition atthe Jiangsu Province State Art Museum
2013– In May, curated and organized the large-scale exhibition "The Second Reshaping Oriental Aesthetics” in the city of Nanjing and Shanghai.
2014– Took part in the touring exhibition "The Third National Nine Cities Art Exhibition which was held in Chengdu, Xi’an, Wu Han, Beijing]Jinan, and other cities.
2014– In December, held a large-scale solo exhibition "Perceive · Discern ·Darian — Chinese Paintings by Darian Duan”at the Yaming Art Museum in Hefei,Anhui Province.
2017– Participated in the “Contemporary Ink: Three-Person Joint Exhibition at the Yan Huang Art Museum, Beijing.
2022– In January, participated in the “Ever-Changing: Seven-Person Modern Ink Exhibition” in the city of Zhang Jiagang.
2021– In August, Participated in a solo exhibition presented by Gallery Baird.
2025– In August, Participated in the 2025 Affordable Art Fair in Melbourne.
2025– In Octomber, Participated in 2025 Melbourne Ceramic Art Fair
