Changing faces: critic and curator to broaden global appeal of Chinese contemporary art
Yongwoo Lee, a South Korean art historian, who is executive director of the Shanghai Himalayas Museum, is keen to make art far more accessible to ordinary people around world
Works by contemporary artists, including Zeng Fanzhi, now attract the highest prices at auction. Investors can take advice from experts at museums and leading contemporary art exhibitions, such as the Venice Biennale.
Yongwoo Lee, a South Korean, globally recognised art historian, critic and curator, has been executive director at the Shanghai Himalayas Museum, since May. He spoke to the South China Morning Post's Peggy Yuan
Why did you join a Chinese private museum?
It's far more appealing to be in an environment that I enjoy - where I feel I can "breathe" - than [consider] the national or geopolitical importance of my choice.
I think the dynamism of contemporary Chinese art today is interesting. Like a solution to a problem, the visual cultural scene of China is brimming with energy, pain and progress.
Exhibitions can be 'too curated' for the elite ... I'm firmly against the kind of attitude in some museums that believes its visitors need to be educated. Museum visitors should be people who love museums and are passionate to interact with the exhibits.