Kevin Ching, Chairman of Asia at Christie’s, painted a captivating portrait of the art world during the “CEO 123 Tell Me More” talk on 9 April, blending market insights with personal anecdotes from his journey through boardrooms and art galleries.
The transformation of China’s contemporary art scene formed a central theme, with Ching noting its meteoric rise to global prominence. “Cultural hubs like Hong Kong and Shanghai have become epicentres of demand,” he observed, “mirroring China’s growing influence on the world stage.” Since taking leadership in May 2023, Ching has prioritized strengthening Christie’s Asian client network while fostering cross-border collaborations to deepen regional collecting interest.
Ching spotlighted landmark auctions that underscored this growth, including the November 2023 “Tianminlou Collection” sale in Hong Kong. Featuring 15 museum-quality Chinese porcelain pieces, it brought in over HK$260 million. He also highlighted Christie’s stewardship of the prestigious Au Bak Ling Collection of Chinese ceramics, which headlined their inaugural sale at The Henderson last September.
Yet the seasoned expert noted an intriguing generational shift: “Younger Asian collectors increasingly gravitate toward Western contemporary works rather than traditional Chinese artefacts like ceramics.”
His transition from law to art leadership prompted particular interest. “First, I should admit I wasn't an exceptional lawyer,” Ching quipped, drawing laughter. His career pivot gained momentum when he joined Dickson Concepts as Group Legal Counsel while simultaneously expanding their Mainland retail operations. His growing reputation as a jade connoisseur and skilled negotiator eventually led to his appointment as Sotheby's Asia CEO.
“Legal training proves invaluable in this field,” Ching emphasized, noting the complex contractual landscape involving consignments, export licences and authentication processes.
His personal art journey began during his years in Beijing, where he immersed himself in the city's museums and flea markets. Later, as a young lawyer in Hong Kong, he would frequent Lammert & Co., historic auctioneers on Pedder Street, gradually building his cherished Chinese jade collection through installment purchases.
“Looking back, of all the valuable art I own, these jades mean the most to me. My best pieces were the ones that were the most difficult to buy,” he reflected.
He shared sage advice for aspiring collectors: “Start by visiting galleries, attending auctions and speaking with experts. Do your research, buy the best you can afford and, most importantly, invest in pieces you genuinely love so you can cherish them for years to come.”