Devin Dai
Devin Dai
戴非凡 · Feifan Dai
Artist · Entrepreneur · Founder · Cultural Communicator
He is the founder of LovedForever, a digital memorial and life-story platform developed around the idea that every person's life and family story deserves to be preserved.
Dai has worked across several fields including entrepreneurship, traditional Chinese arts, digital media, cultural exchange and memorial services.
Early Life and Education
Dai was born in 1989 in China.
He studied at Yangtze University, where he studied urban planning and became involved in student organisations, communications and entrepreneurial activities.
During his university years, Dai participated in student media and entrepreneurship projects and developed an early interest in business, communication and cultural activities.
Early Entrepreneurship
Dai began experimenting with entrepreneurship at a young age.
During his teenage years and university period, he participated in a variety of commercial and community projects. While studying at university, he helped establish student entrepreneurship initiatives and later became involved in projects including student-oriented businesses and media activities.
His early experiences contributed to his later interest in combining business, culture and communication.
Transition to Arts
In 2013, Dai left a government-related career path and moved into the field of traditional Chinese arts.
He moved to Yixing, Jiangsu, an important centre of Chinese zisha pottery, and began working in zisha art design and creation.
He later studied under Chinese arts and crafts master Ge Jun (葛军).
Dai used the artistic name Hutuxian (壶涂仙) and was associated with the creation and promotion of zisha art and culture.
Zisha Art and Cultural Exchange
Dai's work in zisha art later developed into a broader interest in cultural exchange between China and New Zealand.
Public reports describe his participation in China–New Zealand arts and cultural exchange activities and his role in promoting Chinese zisha culture in New Zealand.
One notable project involved a series of zisha works inspired by New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi.
The project involved children from a New Zealand primary school creating kiwi-themed artwork, which was incorporated into zisha vessels.
A related kiwi zisha work was presented as a cultural gift and was reported to have been accepted for permanent collection by members of the Māori Royal Family.
China–New Zealand Cultural Exchange
Dai has participated in activities promoting cultural and artistic exchange between China and New Zealand.
In 2019, reports described him as participating in the China–New Zealand Arts and Crafts Education Conference and as receiving recognition connected with China–New Zealand arts and crafts cultural exchange.
He also participated in discussions and events involving Chinese zisha artists and Māori artists and cultural representatives.
His work during this period focused on using traditional Chinese arts as a medium for cultural communication between the two countries.
New Zealand
In 2018, Dai moved to New Zealand for further study.
His public writings describe his decision to study in New Zealand at the age of 30 as an important turning point in his life.
Since moving to New Zealand, he has become involved in business, cultural activities and community-oriented projects.
Entrepreneurship in New Zealand
Dai has established and participated in several businesses in New Zealand.
He is also the founder, director and shareholder of Headstone Factory Limited, a New Zealand company established in 2024 and operating in the monumental and memorial industry.
Headstone Factory provides memorial-related services including headstone manufacturing, memorial installation, inscriptions and related memorial products.
LovedForever
Dai is the founder of LovedForever.org.nz, a digital memorial platform designed to preserve people's lives, stories, memories and family histories.
The concept behind LovedForever developed from Dai's belief that historical records should not be limited to famous individuals.
While traditional encyclopedias and historical publications often focus on notable public figures, ordinary people also have lives, relationships, experiences, photographs and stories that are meaningful to their families and communities.
LovedForever was created around the principle:
Every Life Deserves to Be Remembered.
The platform is designed as a memorial wiki where families and communities can create and contribute to memorial pages.
A LovedForever memorial may include:
- Life stories
- Family trees
- Photographs
- Videos
- Personal memories
- Tributes
- Important life events
- Cemetery information
- Family history
- Stories contributed by family and friends
The platform also explores the connection between physical memorials and digital memorial pages through QR codes.
Editorial Philosophy
As the founder and Editor-in-Chief of LovedForever, Dai is involved in developing the platform's editorial direction and content principles.
The platform aims to create a respectful environment where families can preserve memories while maintaining appropriate privacy and dignity.
Its broader philosophy is expressed through the concept:
A Wiki for Every Life.
Creative and Cultural Interests
Dai's work has crossed several areas, including:
- Traditional Chinese arts
- Zisha pottery
- Entrepreneurship
- Digital media
- Cultural exchange
- Family history
- Memorial culture
- Community projects
- Digital preservation
His career reflects an ongoing interest in combining traditional culture with new forms of communication and technology.
Selected Recognition and Activities
Publicly available profiles and reports have associated Dai with a number of activities and recognitions, including:
- 2010 China College Student Self-Improvement Star recognition
- 2011 Hubei Youth Entrepreneurship Model
- 2011 World University Games Campus Communication Ambassador
- 2012 Jingzhou Outstanding Young Volunteer
- Participation in China–New Zealand cultural and arts exchange activities
- Recognition associated with China–New Zealand arts and crafts cultural exchange
Personal Philosophy
Dai has frequently expressed an interest in entrepreneurship, cultural creativity, personal development and building projects with long-term value.
A recurring theme in his work has been the belief that traditional culture can be preserved and communicated through new forms of media and technology.
This idea later became part of the philosophy behind LovedForever: using modern digital technology to preserve stories and memories that might otherwise disappear.