Art collector and patron, Kylie Ying is a tireless champion of Chinese art. With her husband, David Chau, she co-founded in 2013 ART021, a refined contemporary art fair that has become a not-to-be-missed art event, bringing together the best galleries, artists and institutions from around the world in Shanghai each year. She also co-founded the JINGART fair, which is held in Beijing every May, and SHENZHEN DNA.
Ying additionally consults with Chinese curators, institutions and brands to generate corporate sponsorships and media coverage to support emerging artists, such as her Young Artist of the Year campaign, which began in 2017.
Simultaneously, Ying is building up a large personal collection which she describes as “rich in diversity”. Although it includes many works by Chinese stars like Zhang Enli and Huang Yuxing, it is just as focused on emerging talent. Works by Cui Jie, Ding Yiand Cong Cong dot his Shanghai home, rounding out an impressive array of international names that includes Carol Bove and Jordan Wolfson.
Some pieces from his collection have been loaned to major international art institutions, such as the New Museum in New York and the Venice Biennale. In 2015, Ying donated an installation by Chinese artist Xu Zhen At Centre Pompidou.
Having previously curator of a sale of contemporary Asian art for Artnet, here Ying takes us on a tour of his personal collection.
Zhang Enli, The story (2012). Oil on canvas. Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
What was your first purchase?
My first purchase was a painting titled The story by Zhang Enli. I think I paid about one million yuan for it. I was in his studio in Shanghai that day and saw quite a few of his works, but I was particularly intrigued by The story At first glance.
What was your last purchase?
Installation work by Jordan Wolfson. His unique ability to tackle important social, political and cultural issues in bold and innovative ways makes him one of the most remarkable artists of the new generation. My memory of Wolfson colorful sculpture beginning at David Zwirner New York in 2016 is still incredibly fresh. The installation completely immersed viewers in an enchanting experience featuring a playful, childlike sculpture.
Florence Lay, Security system (2013). Oil on canvas. Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
Tell us about a favorite work from your collection.
It’s really hard to say. Each work in my collection has its own story. Most of my collection is made up of female artists. Florence Lai, born in the 1980s, is one of them. I saw Security system at an art fair and fell in love with it at first sight. Carol BoveIt is La Luce (2019) and Issy woodIt is Untitled (What I want) are also my favorites.
Carol Bove, La Luce (2019). Stainless steel and urethane paint. Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
lssy wood, Untitled (What I want) (2020). Oil on linen. Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
What works or artists do you hope to add to your collection this year?
Rachel Rose is an artist that I follow closely lately. Her work overflows with a sense of fantasy and shows multiple possibilities for artistic exploration. Cecile Brown And Gerard Richter are also on my wish list.
What is the most valuable work of art you own?
To be honest, I don’t know for sure, because art prices change all the time!
Where do you most often buy art?
Before 2020, I often visited artists’ studios and art fairs around the world. Sometimes I went to galleries to choose and acquire works. I prefer face-to-face communication. But over the past three years, I’ve started looking for good art online.
Is there a work you regret buying?
I do not regret the works I have acquired. Each collection decision is made by determination and is meaningful.
Cui Jie, Glass curtain wall building (2014). Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
What work have you hung above your couch? And in your bathroom?
I usually change the presentation of the works according to the mood and the season. For example, before, I hung above my sofa an oil painting by Cui Jie, Glass curtain wall building (2014). The streetscape full of towering buildings and glass curtains in the painting seemed to form an intriguing dialogue with the former French Concession where I live.
Mehdi Ghadyanloo’s utopian playground work and Kylie’s cat. Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
I also hung an artist’s work Mehdi Ghadyanloo. I really like his “Slides” series. He presents a “utopian playground” on canvas. In a way, the artist managed to breathe new life into the subject.
For the bathroom, I put Javier Callejais the cat there. Every day is full of childish fun!
Small scale cat sculpture by Javier Calleja with Kylie Ying’s cats. Courtesy of Kylie Ying.
What’s the least practical piece of art you own?
I don’t think art can be defined as impractical or practical.
What work would you have liked to buy when you had the opportunity?
If I could go back in time, I would have bought works by Yoshitomo Nara. About 10 years ago I came across a large Nara installation in Los Angeles. However, I didn’t collect it because of its oversized dimensions, which was unfortunate. Later, I learned that the work had been acquired by a museum. I am happy to see that this piece has finally found its place.
If you could steal one piece of art without getting caught, what would it be?
The Mona Lisa.
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