China is a country rich in different forms of art. From artistic sculptures to different types of paintings and drawings, China’s great variety of art has been globally recognized for its finesse. Art collectors in China and worldwide have come forward to preserve all these beautiful pieces for future generations.
The economic boom in China, combined with political freedom, has allowed more people to invest in art collections. Several millionaires around the world have invested their money in collecting artworks over the last few decades. In fact, the total net worth of art collectors in China could easily surpass those in most other countries, including the US.
Several global collectors have shown great interest in collecting Chinese art for both public and private collections in recent years. Some of them are mentioned below.
Qiao Zhibing
A well-known Chinese art collector, Qiao Zhibing, was originally a sound engineer. His interest in Chinese art began after opening his nightclub in Hainan, followed by two more in Shanghai and Beijing. He first started collecting art pieces to decorate his nightclubs, and as per records, some even cost as high as a million pounds!
His art collection includes pieces from well-known Chinese and international artists, including Zhan Enli, Liu Wei Yang Fudong, Argentines Villa Rojas, etc. The Tank Shanghai Complex, which is among the most popular recreational facilities and museums in China, was opened in 2019 to display his art pieces.
Adrian Cheng
Adrian Cheng, the founder of K11 Art malls, is well known as a leader of New World Development. His decision to combine his retail services with contemporary art collections became the reason for his success.
A promoter of Chinese culture, Adrian Cheng’s K11 Foundation has held more than 60 art exhibitions to date. All the K11 malls allow contemporary Chinese artists to showcase their work.
John Dodelande
John Dodelande is popular as the ambassador of Chinese art in the Western world. His focus is more on contemporary pieces of art from Mainland China. He has recently authored a book titled “Chinese Art: The Impossible Collection” in association with Adrian Cheng, which features the work of several Chinese artists. John Dodelande is active in organizing art exhibitions in both China and Georgia.
Uli Sigg
The most influential collector of Chinese art in the western world, Uli Sigg, has donated a significant chunk of his remarkable collection to the M+ Museum. Despite that, his personal collection consists of over 1520 pieces of artwork from traditional and contemporary Chinese artists. These include paintings, photographs, sculptures, etc.
Wang Wei and Liu Yiquan
Wang Wei and Liu Yiquan are the owners of two museums located at West Bund and Pudong in China, respectively. Their art collection mainly consists of pieces developed during the Song dynasty. The museums also showcase artworks of traditional and modern calligraphy, as well as some contemporary works.
Budi Tek
With over 1500 pieces gathered over more than a decade, Budi Tek has one of the largest collections of Chinese contemporary art. A billionaire working in the food industry, he became interested in collecting artworks for both public and private display. The Yuz Foundation established by him aims to support Chinese artists and institutions financially.
Summing Up
Chinese art has vast differences whpared to western forms of art, which has contributed to its immense popularity. The artworks showcase a unique harmony of old traditional techniques with newer styles and ideas. The collections of these leading Chinese art collectors like John Dodelande and others allow people worldwide to get a glimpse into the rich Chinese culture and heritage.
