Encounters with Alumni from Greater China
Oxford In China > Featured Alumni Profiles > Olivia Wang
Olivia Wang is an independent curator, art consultant and writer with over 10 years of industry experience. Her writing has been published in the Wall Street Journal, ArtAsiaPacific, and the Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, among others. Olivia previously worked as a specialist in the Chinese Works of Art department at Sotheby's Hong Kong before joining the Saadiyat Island Cultural District in the UAE where she developed public and exhibition programmes. She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her MPhil from Oxford University in Modern Chinese Art. The focus of her MPhil dissertation was contemporary Chinese ink painters of scholars' rocks.
How did Oxford nurture your interests and talents?
I had worked for a few years after my undergraduate degree– first as a specialist at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, and then in Abu Dhabi at the Saadiyat Cultural District – so will admit that essay writing, exams, long reading sessions at the Sackler Library, and student life in general were initially quite an adjustment for me! At the same time, however, I had a much greater appreciation for being a student again. The MPhil gave me the academic support and freedom to pursue my own research interests. Engaging with incredible scholars and peers alike was intellectually stimulating and so inspiring. The Ashmolean Museum has one of the best collections of modern Chinese art in Europe, so it was quite amazing to have access to it at Oxford. During my weekly tutorials, my supervisor Shelagh Vainker (Associate Professor of Chinese Art and Curator of Chinese Art at the Ashmolean Museum) would pick a few paintings from the museum collection to study closely and discuss. I also feel very privileged to have spent time with the late Professor Michael Sullivan – one of the pre-eminent experts on modern Chinese art. I often joined dinner gatherings that he hosted at his home with fellow students of Chinese art. His home was filled to the brim with his personal collection of Chinese art, which he had built up over 70 years. The collection includes many masterpieces, such as ink paintings by Qi Baishi and Zhang Daqian. He was generous with his knowledge and always shared his stories and experiences with us. When I told him the subject of my dissertation, he rummaged all over his house to look for a rock painting from the 18th century to show to me. |
Why did you decide to start your own business in 2013 doing curatorial and consulting work? Working independently and starting my own business was not something I had initially considered. I had intended to return to the commercial art sector and work at an auction house or art gallery. However, after Oxford, I began assisting some private collectors with acquiring artworks for their collections. It turned out to be fun, rewarding and profitable, so I decided to do it full-time as a business. I had spent one term in Beijing doing research for my MPhil dissertation; it was during this time that I got to know quite a few artists. After Oxford, I gradually started working with them and promoting them – through the exhibitions I have curated, as well as through writing about them in various publications. It has been highly rewarding and exciting to follow and support an artist's career in this way. You are also the Representative of the Ink Society, a not-for-profit organisation founded in Hong Kong in 2003 dedicated to forging a greater understanding and appreciation of ink art. What current project are you working on with them? We recently presented a film screening of “Enduring Passion for Ink”, a series of short documentaries on 5 contemporary ink artists. We have also started planning for a symposium, to be held during the Ink Asia art fair in December 2016. Ink Asia – an art fair focusing specifically on ink art -- held its inaugural edition last year, for which we were the education partner. It should be another exciting show this year. |
The artwork you’d like to have hanging in your living room?
A rock painting by contemporary ink artist Liu Dan. It is elegant, beautiful, and transcends time and place.
A rock painting by contemporary ink artist Liu Dan. It is elegant, beautiful, and transcends time and place.
What’s the best advice you have received? Perseverance, determination and gratitude, from my parents. What is your favourite place in Oxford? I have so many! Surrounded by the amazingly preserved historic buildings and stunning architecture was like being in a living museum. Also, the Wadham gardens on a sunny day, jogging in Port Meadow, the warm and cosy pubs, G&Ds for ice-cream, Holywell Music Room for chamber music concerts, the cafes in Jericho, the list goes on! I'm going back this summer for a short visit which I am very much looking forward to! |
July 2016