From Passion to Investment: Asian Contemporary Art Collecting

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 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

Image credit to Liu Ye, The Sailors With Red Flag, 1998 © Liu Ye

Schedule

Module I: Japanese Contemporary Art

Dates: Monday to Wednesday, 26-28 September, 2022

Time: 5:00-6:30pm HKT / 10:00-11:30am BST

Day 1  From Gutai to Superflat: Japanese Contemporary Art

Day 2 Masterpieces at Auction in Japanese Contemporary Art 

Day 3 Trends and Changes in Japanese Contemporary Art Collecting Today

Module II: Chinese Contemporary Art

Dates: Monday to Wednesday, 24-26 October, 2022

Time: 5:00-6:30pm HKT / 10:00-11:30am BST

Day 1  Movements in Chinese Contemporary Art  

Day 2 Masterpieces at Auction in Chinese Contemporary Art

Day 3 Trends and Changes in Chinese Contemporary Art Collecting Today

Module III: Korean Contemporary Art

Dates: 20 - 22 February 2023

Times: 5:00-6:30pm HKT / 9:00-10:30am GMT

Day 1  Movements in Korean Contemporary Art  

Day 2 Masterpieces at Auction in Korean Contemporary Art

Day 3 Trends and Changes in Korean Contemporary Art Collecting Today

Module IV: Southeast Asian Contemporary Art

Dates: 24 - 26 April 2023

Times: 5:00-6:30pm HKT / 9:00-10:30am GMT

Day 1  Movements in Southeast Asian Contemporary Art  

Day 2 Masterpieces at Auction in Southeast Asian Contemporary Art

Speakers

Module I: Japanese Contemporary Art

Ada Tsui
Associate Vice President, Head of Day Sale & Specialist, 20^th & 21^st 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.

FAQ

• 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.