Overview

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 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 Western and Asian art of the 20th and 21st centuries, highlighting not only the relevant art history, but also the ecosystem transformation that contributed to their commercial value today. 

The programme can be participated in-person at Christie’s Hong Kong or virtually, and covers four collecting categories: Western modern art, Asian modern art, Western post-war and global contemporary art.  Each module consists of 3 days, including art historical and connoisseurship-focused academic lectures, followed by conversations with auction specialists and visits to galleries and museums.  Through lectures, conversations and visits, the programme will discuss how to build collections, what makes an auction record, nuances between various art cities and auction locations, and how artworks 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 Western modern art, Asian modern art, Western post-war and global ultra-contemporary art, from not only the perspective of art history, but also the market evolution that contributed to their development and value today 

• Insights into important groundbreakers, tastemakers and market-makers of 20th and 21st century art, from artists and dealers, to curators and collectors 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the value of 20th and 21st century art, informing your appreciation of the relevant collecting categories and its market today 

• Upon completion of all four modules of the programme, eligible participants will be entitled to receive a certificate of completion upon request. 

Schedule

Module I: Western Modern Art 
Dates: Thurs-Sat, 19-21 October, 2023
Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm HKT

• Christie’s and 20th and 21st Century Art
• The Beginnings of Modern Art  
• Important Movements of Western Modern Art 
• Important Dealers and Collectors of Western Modern Art 
• Masterpieces at Auctions 
• Visit: Galleries, Museum 

Module II: Asian Modern Art 
Dates: Wed-Fri, 13-15 December, 2023
Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm HKT

• Masters of Chinese Modern Ink Paintings 
• Chinese Artists in Paris in the early 20th Century  
• Japanese Modern Art  
• Korean Modern Art  
• Southeast Asian Modern Art  
• Masterpieces at Auctions  
• Visit: Galleries, Museum 

Module III: Western Post-War Art 
Dates: Feb, 2024
Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm HKT

• Post-war Art in the US 
• Post-war Art in Germany 
• Post-war Art in France 
• Post-war Art in Britain 
• Important Dealers and Collectors of Western Post-war Art 
• Masterpieces at Auctions  
• Visit: Galleries, Museum 

Module IV: Global Ultra-Contemporary Art 
Dates: Apr, 2024
Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm HKT

• Inside the Contemporary Art World 
• From Paintings to Digital Art: The Evolving Practices of  Contemporary art 
• Contemporary Art and Diversity 
• Key Themes in the Contemporary Art Market  
• Post-Millennium Artists at Auctions 
• Visit: Galleries, Museum 

*Schedule and topics are subject to change.

Speaker

Dr. Elaine Yin Ning Kwok
Part-time Lecturer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Kwok, Yin Ning (Elaine) obtained her PhD, MPhil degree, and BA degree (double majors) from the University of Hong Kong. Currently, she teaches three MA and BA courses on Western and Chinese art history at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The two MA courses on Chinese art history (before and after 1900) have been taught by her since 2014. She also taught four survey and thematic courses on contemporary Western art history for a BA program at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (offshore campus in Hong Kong) during 2014-2017. For Christie’s Education (Asia) she has taught Western art history on various topics since 2014. Her research interests embrace art history and aesthetics (Western and Chinese), and cross-cultural interaction history between Europe and China. On these subjects, her publications appear in academic journals and publishing institutes including Grove Dictionary of Art, Grove Art Online, Oxford Art Online, Oxford University Press. 

Sara Mao
Director
Christie’s Education Asia Pacific

Sara Mao is the Director for Christie’s Education in Asia Pacific, overseeing the development of programmes and partnerships across Hong Kong, China, and South East Asia. Sara joined Christie’s in 2008 and was appointed Specialist Head of Sale for Chinese Modern Paintings in 2015, and then as Director for Christie’s Education in 2018.

Sara has curated over ten seasons of auctions for some of the most iconic paintings in the field of Chinese paintings, nurturing client relationships with seasoned collectors and new buyers, and leading the growth of the category through securing consignments globally for auction and private sales. She was responsible for spearheading record-breaking sales of Fu Baoshi’s The Song of the Pipa Player for HKD204.8 million, and Zhang Daqian’s Ancient Temples Amidst Clouds for HKD102.4 million, in 2017.

Bringing her specialist experience to education, she currently leads programmes in Asian Art, Art Business and Luxury Connoisseurship, with a focus on Women Artists and Art & Tech. She was the curator for Christie’s Art + Tech Summit “Mixed Realities” in 2019, and co-convenor for Christie’s Education’s first online academic conference “The Chinese Art Market”, in 2020. 

Sara is also an auctioneer for Christie’s, supporting numerous charity auctions including Save the Children, Ronald McDonald House, Make a Wish Foundation, The National Kidney Foundation (SNG), and others.

After receiving her B.A. in Philosophy & English Literature at the University of York (UK), Sara acquired her Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP Law School (UK) and a Master of Letters in History of Art and Connoisseurship, with a concentration in Chinese art, from Christie’s Education and the University of Glasgow.

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.