In collaboration with Tatler China

‘My father introduced me to art collecting. Although he came from a military background, he worked at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing for three decades. Growing up, he was very strict with me, and insisted that I learn to paint. A few years ago, he suffered a stroke. This gave him a sense of urgency and he began to talk to me about his collection. My father had always wanted to organize an exhibition to share his collection with the world. Sadly, however, he passed away before he could do that in 2020.

‘While an exhibition is a temporal event, books can be passed down through generations. So, I decided to publish a book about his collection instead. During the subsequent three months of research and editing, I learnt a lot about the collection, and discovered the joy of collecting for myself. What my father left me isn’t just material wealth or his art collection, but a passion to continue collecting art as a family legacy.

‘I love sharing my art collection with the world. Every time I buy a new piece, I eagerly share the news with friends and on the social-media platform RED (Xiaohongshu). Throughout my collecting journey, I have also formed many meaningful friendships in the art community. For instance, [auction house specialist] Tian Heng introduced me to Huang Yuxing’s painting Vortex (2015), a significant addition to my collection in the early days. Equally important was my acquaintance with fellow collector Guan Dongyuan. Before I started collecting art in earnest, I visited him with a bottle of wine. His insights on art collecting had a profound impact on me, and I appreciate his advice to this day. I often gather with my friends to discuss the latest happenings in the art world, which is always fascinating.

‘I am intimately familiar with every work in my collection – from the artist’s conceptual approach to their life experience. I have collected works from numerous Chinese artists, including Xie Nanxing, among others. These artists are of a similar age to me, have lived through the same era, and share comparable experiences of growing up. There are plenty of good artists, but I am guided by whether an artwork instantly resonates with me emotionally, and how it reflects the narrative of our times.

‘I have collected seven portraits by Xiao Jiang. I have a particular fondness for portraits, especially paintings of people’s backs. Unlike faces, which can be reshaped or disguised by an expression, backs feel more genuine and honest. I find the associations evoked by Xiao’s portraits encourage deeper connections between people.

‘I recently acquired Qi Xing’s Trotsky & Frida (2022), a painting which beautifully captures the love story between Leon Trotsky and Frida Kahlo. It’s an outstanding piece, and one which will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

‘In my opinion, one often-underrated artist is Wang Yuping. He paints scenes such as the White Dagoba (Baita) Temple and Jingshan East Street in central Beijing. Although I haven’t acquired any of his works yet, I am particularly drawn to them because I grew up near the temple. We have agreed to go there together on his next visit and afterwards share a meal of hotpot.

‘Collecting art is a way of supporting artists so that they can continue to make work. It’s a collective effort that creates a sustainable art ecosystem. By actively participating in this process, I can also help shape Chinese art history and support the development of contemporary art in my country.

‘Like many collectors who have amassed a substantial collection, I’ve also dreamed of hosting an exhibition someday. Currently, my primary focus remains on leading a meaningful life, managing my media business responsibly, and fulfilling my social obligations. When I retire, I plan to organize an exhibition and publish a book on my collection.

‘Art collecting, for me, is a continuation of my family’s legacy. It brings spiritual fulfillment and personal joy, balancing my professional endeavors and adding an extra layer of meaning to my life. I plan to pass down most of my collection to my daughter, who I often take to galleries and auctions. When I’m unsure about a decision, I seek her opinion and let her weigh in on her favorite works. My hope is that, as she grows older and revisits these artworks, they will evoke memories of her childhood. Even after I’m gone, I hope these memories will stay with her.’