Film

Collector Zhang Guo Would Rather Spend on Art Than Luxury Goods

In 2003, only three years into her career, Zhang Guo bought her first artwork with just a few tens of thousands of renminbi. She often jokes that she has never been willing to splurge on luxury goods and would rather spend money on what she truly loves. Over two decades, that instinct has grown into a collection of more than two hundred works, many by women artists across different generations.

Why does Zhang Guo find an affinity with women artists through collecting?

In this 2024 interview, Zhang Guo looks back on collecting since her first acquisition in 2003. Rather than beginning with a rule to collect only women artists, she recognises an affinity with their works when reflecting on her collection. Artists of different generations, including Yan Ping, Zhang Ruyi, Ma Lingli and Sun Yitian, provide examples in her account. Related interviews with women collectors and Yu Yan offer further views on how personal experience informs collecting.

Transcript

In 2003, only three years into her career, Zhang Guo bought her first artwork with just a few tens of thousands of renminbi. She often jokes that she has never been willing to splurge on luxury goods and would rather spend money on what she truly loves. Over two decades, that instinct has grown into a collection of more than two hundred works, many by women artists across different generations.

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