A few words from collector Wang Fei-Xiong
A senior collector and artistic adviser, has collected more than 10,000 artworks since 1979. Devoting great time to studying in art theory and to visiting museums and galleries, Wang seized the opportunity to meet many artists, which cultivated him to have an eye for investing artworks.
“When I see the painting, I can understand the artist”, Wang Fei-hung said. Spending much time with many artists, such as Liu Qi-Wei, Chen Qi-Kuan, Xiao Qin and Huo Gang, he understood them through conversation and also elevated his own aesthetic sense. His collections included Zao Wou-ki and Chu Teh-Chun who majored in abstract painting, Lin Feng-Mian and Shiy De-Jinn from China Academy of Art. Besides, he collected paintings of Chin Song from Dongfang Group, Xiao Qin and Gu Fu-sheng from Fifth Moon Group.[1] Among these paintings, the most valuable one is “Hommage a Tou-Fou” by Zao Wou-ki. He also added that he bought the painting at $7 million TWD, now it has risen to $600 million TWD. “Neither real estate nor financial stocks will beat art investment at making money” he explained. The profit of art investment is flourishing, especially in Chinese paintings and calligraphy.
“Time is the key to investment.” Wang accumulated much experience from observing market trend in the long term. He thought that some artists would shine in 2-3 years, but most the young artists might take two decades to establish their reputations. Life is short, and he could only give up investing those young artists. In addition, the starting point can be broadly divided into natural factor and human factor. The former refers to the artist who passed away; the latter refers to deliberate operation of the business, galleries or collectors. “The manipulator will make a fortune in the beginning, and the most pitiful person who takes the consequence will lose money at last.”
As to the promising artists, he recommended Peng Yu, Cheng Tsai-Tung, Lin Yuan, Daniel Lee Xiao-Jing, Fifth Moon Group, Dongfang Group and senior artists in Taiwan. He also reminded the new collectors that do not purchase artworks without thinking twice. To determine which work is worth purchasing, they could participate in important auctions and research into average amount of transaction.
1. Dongfang Group and Fifth Moon Group are contemporary art groups in Taiwan. They started a new era for Taiwanese art scene, and both were established in the end of 1950s.
