michael chow

los angeles
art
michael chow

interview by DONATIEN GRAU
photography by DANIEL TRESE

PINK DROP, 2017-18, DROP CLOTHS, ACRYLIC PAINT, AND STERLING SILVER ON CANVAS

Michael Chow opened his first restaurant in London on Valentine’s Day, 1968, during the Pop revolution, and his first one in Beverly Hills in 1974. After growing up in the world of Chinese opera, he was exiled to England, where he studied architecture and tried to be an artist. Instead, he created a restaurant empire that combined high-end Chinese-American cuisine and a glamorous dining experience in a room full of art — a place for artists to gather. Cy Twombly designed the logo on the plates. Ed Ruscha designed the first matchbooks. David Hockney and Andy Warhol painted his portrait. Now, coming full circle, he’s making art again.

DONATIEN GRAU — You moved to London when you were very young…