In the week of Art Basel Hong Kong over 100 exhibitions are taking place at different venues around the town. These art happenings in Hong Kong have turned the Asian City literally into an art hub and a place of exploration for one week. At this occasion, Larry’s List, the world’s leading art collector database, is introducing top collectors based in Hong Kong and shows the way they are influencing the bustling art landscape.
· William Lim
· Monique and Max Burger
· Alan Lau
· Joseph Lau
· Adrian Cheng
William Lim
Besides being an award-winning architect and artist, William Lim is also an ardent collector of Hong Kong art. He has assembled more than 200 pieces since 2003 and houses parts of the collection in a loft studio located at south part of Hong Kong. He has recently announced the launch of his new book titled The No Colors: Living Collection in Hong Kong, which documents his comprehensive collection of works by more than 50 contemporary local artists and provides an insight into the contemporary art scene of Hong Kong. There are numerous collector related programs accompanying the fair, including a talk that Lim is participating and also the book launch of Lim’s new book. For more details please check:
Monique and Max Burger, Burger Collection
Swiss collectors Monique and Max Burger started to build their collection in the early 1990’s, and are collecting international renowned artists from Europe, the United States and Asia. They have been resident in Hong Kong since 2005. Since that time they have developed an ongoing passion for collecting contemporary Asian art. Currently, they have put together more than 1000 works of contemporary art by 120 artists. Today some of these artists are internationally sought after and difficult to acquire. Parts of the Burger Collection have been shown in Cattle Depot in Hong Kong in 2013.
Alan Lau
Alan Lau started collecting about eight years ago with the controversial work from the “King of Kowloon” and has since then quickly developed into an avid collector of contemporary art. He has recently donated the work Guards Kissing by Tino Sehgal to the M+ Museum of West Kowloon Cultural District and became one of the first Hong Kong collectors to donate a major work to the museum. He is also a member of the Tate’s Asia-Pacific Acquisition Committee and sits on the board of Para/Site, one of the most established independent spaces in Hong Kong.
Joseph Lau
Joseph Lau is arguably one of Hong Kong’s most powerful business men, with a fortune that is estimated by Forbes at $4.3 billion. He gained his fortune by being one of the largest real estate investors in Greater China. Lau started collecting more than 30 years ago, and is known for his collection of modern and contemporary art, especially for collecting Andy Warhol’s work. Also, he has made several important purchases including an iconic portrait of Mao by Warhol for $17.3 million at Christie’s New York in 2006; and Paul Gauguin’s Te Poipoi, which he bought for $39.2 million at Sotheby’s in 2007.
Adrian Cheng, K11 Art Foundation
Adrian Cheng graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree and developed a passion towards visual art forms since then. With a background as heir of one of the most influential property development tycoons in Asia, Adrian Cheng has the vision of merging commerce and art. Consequently, he has developed the first “Art Mall” K11 and K11 Art Foundation in 2009 and 2010. Subsequently the branches expended to Shanghai and Chengdu. In 2012 Cheng was also invited to join the TATE’s Asia Pacific Acquisitions Committee.
