Kejia Wu: An Art Market Emerging Before Our Eyes…

Having grown up in Beijing, Kejia Wu spent a decade developing cultural projects in the Chinese capital. This included founding its first contemporary art centre – before the 798 Art District and UCCA – though unfortunately, it was destroyed some time later. After obtaining an MBA at Yale, she decided to move to New York, where she first worked in the office of the Sotheby’s CEO on special Asia-related projects. In 2015, she began teaching at the Sotheby’s Institute. She was the one who designed and produced the 2019 TEFA report, dedicated this year to the Chinese art market: a fascinating overview in a singular format. How did this report come about? Patrick van Maris van Dijk, TEFAF's CEO, approached me, suggesting the idea of carrying out a study dedicated to the Chinese art market. Of course I went along with him! But it was clear to me that in view of its "youth", it was crucial to dwell on its history to give a clear idea of its organisation and get an inkling of how it might be in the future. China began opening out to the world exactly forty years ago. And it's only been a member of the WTO since 2001… So how did…