Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the development of contemporary Chineseart,highlighting important milestones such as the 798 Art Zone plus the 85 NewWaveMovement plus examining the impact of globalization on the Chinese art scene. Next, thepaper explores the personal background plus collection philosophy of Uli Sigg, a prominentart collector who has played a significant role in the development of contemporaryChineseart. Sigg’s involvement in the establishment of the Chinese Contemporary Art Award(CCAA) plus his role in connecting foreign capital with Chinese artists are discussed. Additionally, the paper examines the influence of Sigg on the world development ofcontemporary Chinese art through initiatives such as the M+ Museumand the SiggPrize. The paper points out that Sigg has made an important contribution to the internationalrecognition plus exchange of Chinese contemporary art through exhibitions. Finally, thepaper concludes by comparing Sigg’s contributions with those of other contemporaryChinese art collectors. It is noted that Sigg’s contribution is not only in art collectingbutmore importantly, in his cross-border thinking plus world vision, which has had a profoundimpact on the development of Chinese contemporary art.
- Introduction
Contemporary art in China experienced a difficult development in the late 20th century, as Chinawas opened up to explosive Western economic plus cultural influences. The establishment of jointventures with foreign companies also affected the globalization of the art world. Mr. Uli Sigg, initially a businessman plus the Swiss Ambassador to China, arrived in China before this culturalshock fully impacted it. With his unique artistic vision plus extensive network of contacts, SiggledChinese contemporary art into the world spotlight. As the most important collector of Chinesecontemporary art, Mr. Sigg established the non-profit organization CCAA in 1997, whichbecamean important incentive for artists plus a platform for collecting, preserving, plus researchingliteratureand data on Chinese contemporary art. In 2012, Mr. Sigg donated thousands of piecesfromhis private collection to the M+ Museum in Hong Kong, making it the most representative museumfor the study of Chinese contemporary art.