60% of the World's Art is Made Here: Dafen Village Business Model

How does a tiny village in Shenzhen produce 60% of the world's oil paintings? I explore the massive business shift from mass-produced replicas to original art."

In this video, I’m taking you inside Dafen, Shenzhen to explore its fascinating business evolution. From its origins as a low-cost manufacturing hub for the West to its new identity as a center for original Chinese art and cultural tourism.

We’ll visit the studio of Zhao Xiaoyong (from the documentary "China's Van Goghs"), look at the shifting business models of local galleries, and discuss the resilience of the community—where 70% of the painters are now women building their own creative paths.