Yes Bar, at Fangjia Hutong, is a popular place for artists to hang out  and grab a cup of coffee. Photos by Zou Hong / China Daily

In the past year, Fangjia Hutong has been shaken to life.

Artist James Chen is the manager of Yes Bar.

It began with the development of the No 46 complex, which brought art galleries and a theater to the area. After that, a smattering of ramshackle bars serving up shots of absinthe and whisky slinked onto the scene.

And just recently, another bar added itself to the collective: Yes Bar.

Taking inspiration from the surrounding art spaces, Yes Bar is an art gallery-bar that promotes locally-based artists.

The bar-gallery hybrid is owned by Lee Lei, owner of live music venue Hot Cat Club a few doors down, and managed by artist James Chen.

Beijing-born, California-raised Chen came back to the city after spending a few years working in galleries in San Diego. Chen had noticed the buzz surrounding the China art scene in the international press and decided to investigate further.

"I'd read about modern Chinese artists selling paintings for millions and I wanted to see what the big deal was," Chen said. "I wanted to see what was going on."

Despite being impressed by Songzhuang Art Village in Tongzhou district, Chen felt there was something slightly inaccessible about the commercial art on show in the large Beijing art galleries.

He began to notice the small, urban galleries and cafes holding miniature art shows, displaying works by unknown artists.

"[Urban galleries] gives variety to the art you can find in urban areas," he said.

He said he has always enjoyed going to random bars and coffee shops to find amazing works by unknown artists.

"There is a need for artists to get out there and express themselves, but there aren't enough places where they can show their art," he added.

A sculpture by Darryl Isaacs, which will be on display at the bar from Jan 14.

A sculpture by Darryl Isaacs, which will be on display at the bar from Jan 14.

The concept of opening a gallery-bar came from this observation and Lee wanting to open a new bar with a difference. Fangjia Hutong was the perfect location with its burgeoning bohemian art scene.

Yes Bar promotes Beijing-based artists by staging monthly shows exhibiting their work.

"Yes Bar provides a constant eddy of artists and friends from Beijing, Hong Kong, Scotland, the US and everything in between," said Beijing-based artist Daniel Finn, who held an exhibition in the bar in December.

"It's a great setting because people come and socialize in the midst of art. It makes the experience much more fluid, social and dynamic."

Chen's art also adorns the walls of the gallery in between exhibitions. Chen often creates kaleidoscopic, swirling and jagged motifs, saturated with color and intensity - appearing like a psychedelic rainbow that's been smashed to pieces.

His art draws on his past dabbling in philosophy, chaos theory and meta-physics, and takes inspiration from nature and tribal art.

The meaning behind these paintings lies with the beholder - viewers can simply see the art as decorative patterns or delve deeper and lose one's self in the myriad meanings hidden in the shapes.

"They're supposed to invoke creativity in others, in a way that it makes the viewer keep guessing," said Chen.

On Jan 14 will be the opening of Mainly Feelings, a month-long exhibition by Darryl Isaacs. The exhibition will explore Isaacs' views about his past two years in Beijing through a collection of sculptures and paintings.

Hailing from New York, Isaacs is one of many artists, who like Chen, have migrated to China in search of inspiration and art opportunities.

Despite the difficulties in finding places to display work as an independent artist, Isaacs is positive about the art in China.

"I think China is appealing to artists as well as businessmen and companies, because it's exciting, changing quickly and moving up in the world," said Isaacs.

"Art is evolving rapidly as well. I feel a positive, optimistic energy here about the future of art in China."

To see more of James Chen's artwork, visit www.chaospattern.com