Today’s top art patrons are a passionate and motivated bunch. Aside from being a ubiquitous presence at art openings, they are staging exhibitions, building art malls and museums, setting up biennales and fairs, and acting as power-brokers between cultures. Meet the Asian art collectors who are making their mark on the international art stage.
TEXT: CoBo Editorial Force
IMAGES: Courtesy of the collectors and online resources
China
Monique and Max Burger
Owners of the Burger Collection, an internationally-renowned private collection of over 1,000 contemporary art pieces representing more than 120 artists ranging from Euro- American and Indian to Asian
Benjamin Cha
The passionate aficionado is the chief executive of Grosvenor Asia Pacific, serves on the board of M+ Museum, Asia Art Archive and advisory committee of Tai Kwun
Adrian Cheng
Hong Kong-based entrepreneur whose passion for art led him to found the K11 Art Mall, K11 Atelier and the K11 Art Foundation. A frequenter of ArtReview’s Power 100
Evan Chow
A well-regarded financier and art collector. Recently appointed to the International Council of the New Museum and the Whitechapel Gallery Art Icon 2018 committee
Hallam Chow
Lawyer, philantropist and collector, his collection focuses on Southeast Asian contemporary art; donated 5 works to M+ in 2016
Lawrence Chu
Co-founder and Managing Partner of BlackPine Zheng He Capital Management Limited, the US-educated collector is also a patron of UCCA, Beijing
William Lim
Avid collector and founder of CL3 Architects; a vocal supporter of Hong Kong contemporary art and the artchitect behind the city’s gallery landmark H Queen’s
Alan Lau
Senior Partner and Asia Pacific Head of McKinsey Digital, an avid collector and an active contributor to the local arts scene
Alan Lo
A visionary entrepreneur, art collector and a leading voice on Hong Kong’s art and design scene, founder of the ultra-hip art dinning place Duddell’s
Amna & Ali Naqvi
Based between Lahore and Hong Kong, the Naqvis’ AAN Collection is the world’s largest private holdings of contempoary art from Pakistan and beyond
Ivan Pun
Storming Hong Kong’s F&B and lifestyle scene with his keen eye to style. Avid advocator of contemporary art and design with his Pun + Projects
Patrick Sun
Founder of Sunpride Foundation, Patrick collects modern and contemporary Asian art with a LGBTQ focus. The foundation held its successful inaugural show Spectrosynthesis – Asian LGBTQ Issues and Art Now at MoCA, Taipei in 2017
Honus Tandijono
An advisor for Para Site Art Space, his collection ranges from international superstar Ai Wei Wei to up-and-coming local artist Adrian Wong
Richard Chang
Chinese-American businessman in real estate, hotels, media, fashion, etc; instrumental in bridging East and West art scenes, founder of Domus Collection
Kelly Ying & David Chau
The Shanghai-based couple co-founds Art021 with PR Guru Bao Yifeng; also founders of CC Foundation
Chen Dongsheng
The Chinese tycoon is now the largest shareholder of Sotheby’s; other titles include: founder of China Guardian Auctions, Taikang Life Insurance, Taikang Space, and Grand-son-in-law of Mao Zedong
Dai Zhikang
Founder and chairman of Zendai Group with a perosnal worth of US$1.3bn; owns US$80m art collection and the Shanghai Himalayas Museum
Guan Yi
With a collection estimated at US$50m, the super-collector’s passion for art is to establish a complete “History of Chinese Contemporary Art” collection
He Jianfeng
Chairman of Infore Investments Holding Group, his Tadao Ando-designed HE Art Museum is set to open in 2018
He Juxing
The former general manager in brand management of Minsheng Bank was also director of Yan-Huang Art Museum and Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum, he is now preparing the grand opening of his own Star Museum
Michael Xufu Huang
Co-founded Beijing’s M WOODS while still a student, he is now a trustee at the New Museum, NY, and listed Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2017. Interest: digital art
Huang Yu
Once China’s Bodybuilding Champion, the Buddhist believer is also a self-confessed addictive collector; the road not taken: to become a star actor
Li Huina
The young Shanghainese started collecting in 2009 with big names such as Xu Bing and Cai Guoqiang
Li Lin
For the mastermind behind fashion label JNBY, art — and her international contemporary art collection — has been her source of inspiration
Lei Wan Wan & Lin Han
The high-profile couple has just turned 30 last year; founders of Beijing M WOODS museum and regulars of glossy magazines and power listings
Kiki Liu
The US-educated new breed collector boasts a passion for art and a rich network in the art world; founded the Sishang Art Museum in Beijing in 2011
Lu Jun & Lu Xun
Father-and-son partnership at real estate development and art collecting, owners of the Sifang Art Museum in Nanjing
Jack Ma
The Chinese business magnate and investor is also a collector and painter, of sorts. While collecting modern and contemporary art, his first painting ever, collaborated with Zeng Fanzhi fetched $5.4 million at Sotheby’s
Qiao Zhibing
One of China’s most ferocious art collectors; Opened the Qiao Space in Shanghai Westbund but already planning the next: Tank Shanghai, an art museum-cum-recreation facility
Thomas Shao
Mainland China’s media mogul and avid art collector
Su Yan & Li Guochang
Chairman of China Forestry Holdings, their US$65m art collection includes1,000 works of antiquities and contemporary Chinese paintings; publishers of Art Bank and Art Times
Wang Bing
Founder of New Century Art Foundation (NCAF), his collection features stars artists including Qiu Xiaofei, Wang Yin, Cao Fei and Liu Ye
Wang Jianlin
Asia’s second richest man (Bloomberg, July 2016),his Dalian Wanda Group operates in real-estate development, yacht business and Spanish soccer team; owns US$1.6 billion in art, ranging from Chinese modern to international contemporary
Wang Junyuan & Guo Guangchang
Chinese billionaire business magnate chairs the Fosun International Limited; they founded the Fosun Foundation Art Centre in 2016 with wife Wang as the director
Wang Wei & Liu Yiqian
The couple is among China’s most successful art collectors and owns three Long museums in Shanghai and Chongqing
Wang Zhongjun
Chinese movie mogul who broke Van Gogh’s auction record in 2014 by paying US$61.8 million for Still Life, Vase with Daisies and Poppies at Sotheby’s
Yang Bin
One of China’s biggest car dealers; bought his first works in 2000 and has since amassed over 1000 works; owns the Aye Gallery with his wife Yan Qing
Frank Yang
Founder of Frank F. Yang Art and Education Foundation that runs non-profit You Space and Extra Space in Shenzhen
Yu Mingfang
Businessman mogul, worth US$910 million, owns Chinese shoe producer Belle International Holdings, collects contemporary artists like Damien Hirst, Luc Tuymans, Zheng Yi Zheng, Liu Wei, etc.
Zhang Rui
Telecommunications entrepreneur is one of China’s “super-collectors” with a collection of 800 pieces
Zhao Lingjia
Millennials generation collector; first art purchase was a HK$4.8m Yoshitomo Nara painting; snapped up 20 pieces within a year by the likes of Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin & Yayoi Kusama
Zhao Yisong
Vice President of Huayu Group, a real estate developer, and the initiator of Huayu Youth Award
Zhou Chong
The UCLA graduate is a 2nd-generation collector; also founder of Art Project CZ
Zheng Hao
The Founder of HOW Art Museum in Wuhan who also opened his second museum in Shanghai last year, he also founds and heads the Wenzhou Wanhe Group that runs five-star Howard Johnson Onehome Hotel
Pierre Chen
Chairman of Yageo, a major manufacturer of electronic components; one of Asia’s leading collectors of Western contemporary art, in particular works by Francis Bacon and Gerhard Richter
Chen Wu-kang
The Chariman of Kelti Group is best known for his big bids on Sanyu and Cai Guoqiang
Jay Chou
Taiwan’s superstar and Asia’s sweetheart, Jay Chou is known for his frequent IG posts of artworks. He is a fan of Basquiat and is believed to be the secret bidder of some top notch sales
James Chu
The founder of ViewSonic is also a low-profile collector in the arts
Deng Chuan-hsin
Best known for his connection with Chu Teh-Chun. Organizing exhibitions and donating his own collection to museums, Deng is one of the major collectiors in Taiwan
Chen Guohe
Famous for his Tianhuang stone collection but also set up a foundation to promote Taiwanese and international art
Hsu Chi-yao
Director of J-shan in Taiwan, his effort to line up artists, sculptors and gardener into architecture is remarkable
Mickey Huang Tzu-chiao
Mickey Huang Tzu-chiao is a Taiwanese comedian, television host, actor and collector
Ellie Lai
Chairwoman of My Humble House which owns Sheraton Grand Taipei, Le Meridien Taipei and the artsy Humble House Taipei, she decorated her hotels with works by Zhou Chun Ya and contemporary artists
Lin Mu-ho
From antique to modernist works, the prominent entrepreneur has completed his collectorship by expanding to contemporary in recent years
Victor Ma
Victor Ma from Yuanta Financial Holdings has a large collection in Chinese masters. He is a also a fan of Bryan Hunt and Keith Haring
Hermie Miu
A collector who collects all sort of things including comics and toys. His collection includes Yue Minjun and Nara Michiko
Leo Shih
A hardware inventor and trader based in Taichung; began collecting in 1990s, shifting his focus from the first generation of Chinese oil painters to Asian contemporary art
Stan Shih
Stan Shih is the founder, president, and chairman of Acer Inc., having seen the company grow from a tiny start-up to a billion-dollar worldwide brand. He is the founder of Stan’s Foundation which sponsors cultural activities
Leslie Sun
An interdisciplinary lifestyle credited to her SUNSET shop and projects, her collection focuses primarily on Western contempoary art
Daniel Tsai
Daniel Tsai is a Taiwanese billionaire businessman and have a famous collection of Zao Wou-ki and Sanyu
Rudy Tseng
Full-time art collector of 20 years who founded his collection on YBAs, accidentally turned himself into a curator
Wang Shaw-lan
The Taiwan-based media magnate who is best known for her onwership of Lanvin, is also a prominent art collector
Stephen Wu & Cynthia Chen
Stephen and Cynthia are a power couple in Taiwanese art scene. Have been collecting for decades, the duo are the familiar guests in different art fairs and events in the region
Yao Chien
The renowned music producer collects to investigate Western influences on Asian arts between 20th century and the contemporary days
Ye Yu-hsiu
Founder of Yu-hsiu Museum of Art. Having great enthuasiasm in Realism, her collection includes works by Patricia Piccinini, Sam Jinks and Ryūsuke Fukahori, etc.
Bangladesh
Nadia & Rajeeb Samdani
Industrialist and 2nd generation collector, the masterminds behind the Dhaka Art Summit, Samdani Art Foundation and a public art center in Sylhet, to open later this year
India
Tina Ambani
Founder of Harmony Art Foundation; acclaimed for supporting and presenting emerging artists alongside established ones in an attempt to develop a platform to discover young talents. Her passion for the arts takes root in her earlier career as a Bollywood actress
Udit Bhambri
Business director of VML India, Udit Bhambri is passionate about the finer things in life, including contemporary art
Vijay & Sunita Choraria
Starting as a young couple with little knowledge about the arts, Vijay and Sunita found inspiration in a variety of sources. They took to developing their collection as a shared, pleasurable activity and a medium to get to know one another
Manisha Gera & Rahul Baswani
The collection is very Indian in its ethos, a mix of everything including some of India’s most famous artists like Nasreen Mohamadi and Zarina Hashmi
Shreyasi Goenka
Shreyasi continued the family tradition of collecting; starting as early as age 20, her collection spans from decorative to contemporary art. She is also the Co-Director of Saat Saath Arts Foundation
Harsh Goenka
Initially collected works from the Bengal School, then moved on to Baroda School with more abstract and conceptual works, the chairman of RPG Enterprises is currently obsessed with commissioning portraits, amounting to 700-800 artists’ portraits of himself and other artists
Feroze & Mohit Gujral
Gujral Foundation duo, one half is a philanthropist, art aficionado, businesswoman, columnist and media personality; the other half is architect & Vice-Chairman of DLF, one of India’s largest real estate company
Roshini Sanah Jaiswal
The renwoned businesswoman is known for her art-filled apartment in Mumbai. Her collection includes works from modern masters such as MF Husai, FN Souza, and contemporary artists such as Jitish Kallat and Victor Rodriguez
Natasha Jeyasingh
Bandra-based art consultant and founder of Carpe Arte, a young collector’s club in Mumbai, is also an avid collector herself
Siddharth Kasliwal
Siddharth Kasliwal of Gem Palace, Jaipur’s legendary jewelry emporium was introduced to the arts by his father. He continues his father’s legacy of jewelry business and his passion for the arts
Anurag & Payal Khanna
The Gandhidham-based couple are known for their risk-taking collecting style when they dedicated a significant portion of their collection to experimental practices and video art since 2001
Vir Kotak
New Delhi-based collector; entrepreneur & joint managing director of JM Baxi Group, a hundred-year-old shipping services company
Amit Mahateny
Hotelier Amit Mahateny, who started off purchasing artworks for projects, has developed a personal liking for the arts. This budding collector is keen to build his own collection of contemporary art
Keshav Mahendru
At age 14, his first purchase was a work by Shilpa Gupta. His collection now comprises of Asian and Western artists
Manish Maker
With a keen interest for installation art, Maker brings together art and architecture through is ambitious real estate projects
Kiran Mazumdar & John Shaw
The quiet and dignified couple have been described as insatiable collectors; live in a home surrounded by works of artists, known and emerging, reacting purely from the gut rather than being driven by their market or value. John is founder & chairperson of Biocon
Vishal Mehta
Director of Rosy Blue, leading international diamond manufacturer, Vishal is a new generation, Mumbai-based collector and a committed supporter of the Saat Saath Arts Foundation
Lakshmi Mittal
ArcelorMittal CEO, he contributed £19.6m ($31.7m) to Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond’s Olympic tower The Orbit and purchased the 2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei for his collection. He keeps his art collection private
Kiran Nadar
The enigmatic Chairperson of Kiran Nadar Museum of Art & Trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation is one of India’s most significant art collectors. Non-art hobby: bridge game
Shalini Passi
Founder of The Shalini Passi Foundation for the Arts and the arts blog MASH (My Art Shalini). Shalini is an avid collector of art and design, evident in her vast collection of furniture, tapestries, and rare antiques, which are juxtaposed with cutting-edge contemporary art and design. Her collection includes the most coveted names of Indian contemporary art, including Bharti Kher, Anita Dube, Zarina Hashmi, Subodh Gupta, Atul Dodiya, and Riyas Komu – to name a few – alongside significant international artists and designers such as Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Ron Arad, Vladimir Kagan, and Hervé Van Der Straeten.
Abhishek & Radhika Poddar
Head of Sua Explosives & Accessories and many other business operations including Cinnamon; setting up the Museum of Art and Photography in Bangalore
Lekha & Anupam Poddar
Delhi-based mother-and-son partnership in collecting, started in late 1970s and 2000 respectively; hold 7,000 pieces of tribal and contemporary art, founders of Devi Art Foundation
Sana Rezwan Sait
The creative professional engaged in numerous consultancy projects involving fashion, art and design. Her collection boasts a wide range from South Asian to Middle Eastern art; with a preference for female artists
Tarana & Tarun Sawhney
Member of the Advisory Board of the Foundation of Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) and the Tate South Asian Acquisition Committee, Tarana plays an instrumental role in developing the region’s international profile. As a collector, she continues to build a collection with her husband Tarun in their charming 50-year-old Delhi Bungalow.
Malvinder Singh
The avid art collector & businessman has built a sizeable collection of modern & contemporary art. He has a penchant for photography acquired from his late father Parvinder Singh. Singh has broadened his vision and love for art with Religare Arts Initiative that aims to bring creative expressions closer to the public through understanding and appreciation
Pooja Singhal
Pooja Singhal collection focuses on contemporary art, including some of the most prominent Indian contemporary artists: Zarina Hashmi, Jitish Kallat, Jaganath Panda, etc.
Siddharth Somaiya
Budding collector Siddharth follows his grandfather’s footsteps and is passionate about supporting emerging artists through collecting
Tahir Sultan
The Indo-Kuwaiti fashion designer is known for his eclectic taste in all things creative, including contemporary art
Nathan Wadhwani
Nathan Wadhwani is a tech startup founder who moved from San Francisco to Mumbai in 2015. He started his contemporary art collection along with Carpe Art; a platform that encourages people to engage with and support the art of their generation