Originally a pursuit almost solely by elites, art collecting is now undertaken by a much broader class, with many recognizing it as an investment activity, fueling a global industry.
This 4-module virtual programme explores how art transforms from simply objects of desire to an asset class in which both passion and value reside. Such evolution, from collecting to investing, is examined through Asian Contemporary Art, highlighting not only the relevant art history, but also the ecosystem transformation that contributed to their commercial value today.
Modules will be divided into different Asian Contemporary Art categories, beginning with Japanese Contemporary Art, followed by Chinese Contemporary Art, Korean Contemporary Art, and finally, South East Asian Contemporary Art.
Each module consists of two art historical and connoisseurship focused lectures, followed by conversations with auction specialists on how to build their collection, what makes an auction record, nuances between various art cities and auction locations, and how works in this category have evolved to become assets with the potential for stellar investment returns.
Learning Outcomes:
A fresh and well-rounded look at the development of key movements in Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Southeast Asian Contemporary Art, from not only the perspective of art history, but also the market evolution that contributed to their development and value today
Insight into current contemporary art collectors and tastemakers
Gain a deeper understanding of the value of Asian Contemporary Art, informing your appreciation of this collecting category and its market today
Ada Tsui Associate Vice President, Head of Day Sale & Specialist, 20th & 21st Century Art Department, Christie's Asia Pacific
Based in Hong Kong, Ada Tsui is an Art Specialist and heads 2 day sales of 20th/21st Century Art. In the current role, she leads the 20th and 21st Century Art Day Sale in business-getting, market analysis, exhibition planning and cultivating relationships with collectors in the region.
Ada received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Comparative Literature at The University of Hong Kong.
Jill Angel Chun Associate Curator at Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong
Jill Angel Chun is a researcher and curator based in Hong Kong. She is currently an Associate Curator at Tai Kwun Contemporary in Hong Kong, where she recently co-curated group exhibitions Double Vision (2022), The Unsung (2021), and facilitated Pipilotti Rist: Behind Your Eyelids (2022), Poetic Heritage (2021), Ink City (2021), My Body Holds Its Shape (2020) and more. Prior to joining Tai Kwun, she curated *underground-children-festival (2018) for Para Site and Goethe-Institut Hong Kong. Previously, she has held positions in several art institutions and media, including Ocula, the Chinese Visual Festival in London, and Asia Art Archive. Her writings are published on Ocula, Artforum, ArtAsiaPacific, and The Art Newspaper among others. Chun holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Hong Kong and a Master of Arts degree in Art History from The Courtauld Institute of Art.
Module II: Chinese Contemporary Art
Sihan Hu Associate Specialist, 20/21 Century Art, Christie's Asia Pacific
Sihan Hu joined Christie's Hong Kong in 2018, responsible for consignment, valuation, market analysis and collector cultivation, as well as promoting Chinese contemporary art in the global art market. She received her B.A. from China Academy of Art, and her M.A. from Chicago Institute of Art.
Jill Angel Chun Associate Curator at Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong
Module III: Korean Contemporary Art
Jill Angel Chun Associate Curator at Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong
Ziwei Yi Specialist, 20/21 Century Art, Christie's Asia Pacific
Yunah Jung Vice President, Regional Senior Specialist, Christie's Asia Pacific
Based in Seoul, Yunah Jung is Senior Specialist and Vice President for the Asian 20th & Contemporary Art, focusing on business-getting and private sale. Since joining Christie’s in 2011, Yunah has achieved top prices for some of the Korean modern pioneers. In May 2015 she drew in record prices for Kim Whan-Ki’s Montagne Bleue (Blue Mountain), which achieved a record HKD13.8 million, and Park Seo-Bo’s Ecriture No. 65-75 (Writing No. 65-75), with a record HKD9.4 million. Playing a pivotal role in developing the international art market for Dansaekhwa, Korean monochrome paintings, Yunah oversaw the sale of Yun Hyong-Keun’s Umber-Blue 7-IIII-75, which brought in record price of HKD4.6 million for the artist. Most recently, Yunah has organized the private sale exhibition, Forming Nature: Dansaekhwa and Korean abstract art in Christie’s New York which is recorded as one of the most successful private sale exhibitions in Christie’s. Born in Seoul, Korea and fluent in English and Japanese, Yunah serves as a specialist for the Asian 20th and Contemporary Art team and plays a key role with our business-getting. Yunah holds a PhD in Visual Art Theory from the Ehwa Woman’s University.
Minju Kweon Head of VIP & Business Development, Frieze Asia
With an educational background in business (Australia, majored in event management) , Minju started her career in managing art fairs. She served as art fair manager at Art Busan in South Korea and worked as director at The Galleries Associations of Busan, where she has been focused on building deep relationships with art collectors, sponsors, art institutions, and galleries both across Korea and globally.
After 10 years of experience in the local and international art field, she continuously develops and improves her experience in the art field through managing art fairs, art-related projects, and VIP relations.
After joining the Frieze art fair's team in 2018 she is particularly interested in further building out VIP relations and developing various VIP initiatives and now as a Head of VIP & Business development, Asia she is looking for more potential new business opportunities and partners in Asia.
Yi Gao Programme Lead, Christie’s Education Asia Pacific
As Programme Lead of Christie’s Education Asia Pacific, Yi is responsible for developing course curricula and programme content, as well as supporting teaching, studying and recruitment. Prior to joining Christie’s, she completed her M.A. in Art, Law and Business, awarded jointly by Christie’s Education London and University of Glasgow College of Arts.
Yi is a qualified attorney licensed to practice in New York and practiced corporate and capital markets law at the global law firm of Kirkland & Ellis. She holds a B.A. in Law from Beijing Foreign Studies University and L.L.M. from New York University School of Law. Yi has studied and worked in Beijing, Hong Kong, New York, Washington D.C. and London, and is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Module IV: Southeast Asian Contemporary Art
Wan Zineng Founder, Art Adenda, S.E.A.
One of the key market makers for Southeast Asian art, Wang Zineng is the founder of Art Agenda, S.E.A. Zineng led the curation and sale of Southeast Asian art at Christie’s from 2011 to 2016 and established numerous record prices for Southeast Asian artists. He also expanded the geographical footprint of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian art at auction beyond Singapore and Hong Kong to salerooms in New York and Shanghai, and was the principal driver behind private sales of Southeast Asian art at Christie’s.
Zineng previously worked as an independent curator and managed collections acquisition at the National Gallery, Singapore. He has also curated exhibitions of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artists at the Singapore Art Museum and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Museum.
Isaac Keh Gallery Manager, Art Adenda, S.E.A.
Isaac Keh is Gallery Manager (Singapore) at Art Agenda, S.E.A. His responsibilities involve business development, curatorial work, event planning and social media management. Prior to joining Art Agenda, S.E.A., Isaac had spent five years in various cultural heritage and government organisations as a communications lead.
Isaac read Chinese at Merton College, University of Oxford, and studied Foreign Languages and Literatures at National Taiwan University. He is particularly interested in works that showcase the role of art in nation-building narratives, as well as the divergence of Southeast Asian art concerning politics and culture.
Can I buy just one module? Yes, you can purchase a single module or the full programme containing 4 modules. Students completing the full programme are entitled to receive a certificate of completion upon request.
How much is this programme? You may opt to sign up for one single module at HK$2,400 / £240, or all four modules at HK$7,600 / £730.
Would I get a certificate after the programme? Participants signing up for all four modules (the full programme) are eligible to receive a certificate of completion upon request.
If I missed Module I, can I still take up the full programme? Yes, upon successful registration for the full programme, you will gain 30-day access to materials from the previous modules.
May I speak to a course advisor before registering for the programme? Yes, please schedule an appointment with a member of our team at shortcoursesHK@christies.com.
Ada Tsui
Sihan Hu
Ziwei Yi
Minju Kweon
Yi Gao
Wan Zineng
Isaac Keh