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Vickie Chan

Pascal de Sarthe – Gallery Owner
Pascal de Sarthe founded the de Sarthe Gallery in Paris in 1977, later opening in Los Angeles and Hong Kong. Representing and exhibiting a diverse spectrum of international artists, the gallery curates both group and solo shows. with works by icons such as Zao Wou-Ki, de Kooning and Andy Warhol. The family-run gallery is soon opening in Beijing, with a focus on contemporary art from China, and de Sarthe’s son, Vincent at the helm.

Why do you think art history remains an important topic in today’s world?
History, religion, psychology, politics and culture all converge in art. Understanding its history is fundamental to understanding art.
How can the general public, society and the art world benefit from studying and understanding the history of art?
Art history can help us to understand cultural identity throughout history. It can also help us to understand the individuals who created the works, because we better understand the world in which they lived.
Do you think many artists value the importance of the subject?
Unfortunately many young artists and art dealers today fail to show whether they have an interest in art history. Many I have met mostly read art magazines and auction catalogues – but rarely open an art history book or pay attention to artists’ biographies.
Knowledge of art history has helped the most important artists react to what has been, opening doors for the younger generation. Where would the modern masters be without the movements of the French Impressionists, or the Post-war artists be without the Modern movements?
What does art history mean to you as a gallery?
Art books surround my office walls. Art history is vital for us – such knowledge makes us look at art with a critical eye. Don’t you want your doctor to have a full knowledge of the history of medicine? Why should it be any different for an art dealer?
 
Au Hoi Lam – Artist
Studying at Chinese University (CUHK), Au Hoi Lam is both a Master of Philosophy and Master of Fine Arts. Represented by Osage Gallery, her work has appeared in solo shows in Hong Kong, Korea and Italy. Living and working in Hong Kong, Au’s works are also in the public collection of the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

Why do you think art history remains an important topic in today’s world?
In life, there are much more pressing concerns than art history but I do think it’s important. It isn’t a subject that should be read just to attain or accumulate a specialist knowledge or skill – that is not so important.
But imagine if art history formed part of the foundation of a child’s learning, allowing art to naturally assimilate into their lives. It would allow for a great personal growth, development and refinement, a different understanding of culture and the world.
How can the general public, society and the art world benefit from studying and understanding the history of art?
The motivation to pursue art history might be personal interests, scholarly pursuits, creative impulse or commercial needs. And in the art world, it is natural that those who assume different careers and roles will study art history to fulfil their purpose.
Do you think many artists value the importance of the subject?
I believe that many artists find art history important, by understanding the history of art they can position themselves and better and understand their own characteristics. That said, I think that an artist’s understanding of art history will often be subjective as opposed to an objective or scholarly approach. In fact, art historians might find the artist’s approach or readings to be unreasonable, but for me, this doesn’t detract from the meaning and truth of the artist’s personal understanding.
What does it mean to you as an artist?
Art history is a personal journey of development, surpassing the mere accumulation of knowledge. But it’s important to understand that the apparent benefits of learning about it might not have immediately recognisable practical benefits, but instead enable the establishment of your value system and finding of yourself (within your work).
 
Continue in Part 2 >


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Pascal de Sarthe founded the de Sarthe Gallery in Paris in 1977, later opening in Los Angeles and Hong Kong. Representing and exhibiting a diverse spectrum of international artists...
