Hallam Chow (Qiu Haoran), Hong Kong Lawyer, collector and art sponsor Chow’s family collected antiques, but he focuses on contemporary art. Chow supports young critics and artists by sponsoring the Luo Zhongli scholarship, lectures at the China Academy of Art, and contemporary Asian art exhibitions.
Chen Dongsheng, Beijing Founder of Guardian Auction, chairman of Taikang Life Insurance Company, which owns the non-profit Taikang Art Space
Taikang Life Insurance Company owns a large contemporary art collection. It is understood that Chen wants to one day develop the Taikang museum.
Yu Deyao (Budi Tek), Jakarta
Owner of the third largest agricultural company in India
Yu’s collection features key contemporary Chinese artists. In 2010 he bought a Zhang Xiaogang work for HK$52.18m ($6.69m). He runs the Yuz Art Museum in Jakarta.
Zhang Rui, Beijing
Telecommuni-cations magnate, backer of the Beijing Art Now Gallery
His collection has been estimated to include more than 800 works. In 2010 Zhang was arrested with his wife over allegations of money laundering but was released after investigation. Zhang has since kept a low profile in the art world.
Guan Yi, Beijing
Professional collector
Guan holds an 800-strong collection of works by contemporary Chinese artists including Huang Yong Ping, Wang Guangyi and Zhang Peili. Around one third of the collection is large-scale installations.
Richard Chang, Beijing and New York Director of Tira Holdings, founder of the Domus Collection
Chang’s collection includes works by Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst, Liu Xiaodong and Zhang Xiaogang. He has sponsored global museum shows including Kapoor’s 2009 exhibition at the Royal Academy, London.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as ‘Contemporary art collectors'