Originally from Shanghai, Snow Li does not only runs business in both China and the Middle East, but she also collects art and design from both. She is currently the art patron of Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Collection — the first institutional art collection in Dubai and for Dubai launched by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (DCAA) in partnership with Art Dubai Group. Since her first artwork acquired 16 years ago, her art and design collection has been expanding to include artists like Louise Bourgeois, Baya Mahieddine, Beate Kuhn, and Betty Woodman, as well as design furniture by India Mahdavi, Pia Maria Raeder, Nada Debs, and Yakusha Victoriya. Her favorites artists are the Iranian artist collective Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian.
Besides having a peek into Snow Li’s densely art-filled home in Dubai, LARRY’S LIST has asked her about her latest art and design acquisitions, three emerging designers she thinks should be on our radar, what is most exciting about collecting design, and the top three must-see design events in her opinion.
Collecting
How did you start collecting design and contemporary art? What is the main motivation behind your collecting?
I believe in “no borders for the soul, no borders for art and no borders in this world” — this is how I live and how I collect.
My first acquisition was Zhou Chunya around the first edition of the International Biennial of Contemporary Chinese Art, Montpellier, France in 2005.
Is there any particular type of design that has consistently attracted you, or do you collect more than one style?
The works that capture breath of our time, and work of art that open new windows to another strange world and take us on a journey away from everyday life and ordinary.
You collect artists in both China and the Middle East. What common qualities do you find in these artists?
I am well known as a dynamic personality with boundless curiosity. As a true citizen of the world, I have always been intrigued by the diversity of culture that I must navigate in my commercial, civil, and charitable work daily. It is this open inclination in my nature that has likewise triggered a fascination for the culture of lifestyle and a serious interest in creativity in all its forms. Many of my friends observe that my colorful, inventive, and optimistic personality is captured in the art that I collect.
What were your latest purchase of design furniture? How about the latest contemporary artworks?
The latest design furniture is Mary – Lynn & Carlo Massoud ( Lebanon ) to support Lebanon
The latest artwork is from my favorite artists, a UAE-based Iranian artistic collective constituted by Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian. Their collaboratively created paintings and sculptures could best be described as post-surrealist works inspired by media images.
How many design pieces and artworks do you own respectively? Where do you display your collection?
Design pieces maybe around 50 – 60 and artworks around 200 – 300. They are mainly in Shanghai, China and now also some new ones are in my Dubai home.
Has your collection been featured in exhibitions/ Would you wish to present your collection publicly?
Not really. But if it’s supporting a community, I would love to do so, like my patronage to Dubai Collection.
What considerations guide you to make a purchase of design furniture?
Love at first sight.
Which is your most treasured design piece and artwork respectively?
Every piece.
What do you think is the biggest difference between collecting art and design? What is the similarity?
There is difference, but they are also the same — it’s all about passion.
What do you find most exciting about collecting design?
To live with it, use it, and make it part of my daily life.
Your apartment in Dubai is densely filled with design and art pieces. What display tips can you share about showing artworks and design furniture together?
Everyone is a curator of our own life.
Life, for me, is a profound, joyous, mysterious, and soulful dance… I walk with my dream unfurled, and lose myself in my own labyrinth, and the dream unfurled carries me…
The Art World
Can you name three emerging designers who should be on our radar?
Pia Maria Raeder (Germany), Tamara Barrage (Lebanon), and Mary – Lynn & Carlo Massoud (Lebanon)
How do you compare the design market in UAE with that in China?
Design Miami just launched in Shanghai China while I think UAE market has great future. UAE ranks first on Bloomberg’s COVID Resilience Ranking and one of the best places for living.
How do you involve in the local art and design scenes in both UAE and China?
Always looking for talent and support artists who need support.
What are your top three must-see design events?
Design Miami, Design Miami/ Podium x Shanghai, and Shanghai Design Week.
Instagram: @snowlishanghai
A selection of artists or designers Snow collects:
Betty Woodman
Hassan Sharif
India Mahdavi
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim
Ramin Haerizadeh/ Rokni Haerizadeh/ Hesam Rahmanian
