FQM welcomes you to our discussion on the American market for Chinese paintings and calligraphy on Sunday, June 16. Fu Qiumeng will moderate the discussion, which will feature artist and connoisseur Arnold Chang and independent scholar Fang Xian. Fang Xian previously served as Head of Sales and Vice President at Sotheby's New York in the Chinese Paintings Department. He worked and studied with Chang for over a decade.
Arnold Chang (right) and Fang Xian (left)
Arnold Chang is renowned not only as a highly accomplished artist but also as a pivotal figure in introducing classical and modern Chinese paintings and calligraphy to the international market. Since his tenure began at Sotheby’s New York in 1979, Chang has been instrumental in establishing regular auctions for Chinese paintings and calligraphy. He expanded these initiatives by founding auctions for modern Chinese paintings and calligraphy in Hong Kong in 1980. This strategic approach marked the beginning of a dedicated focus on modern works in Hong Kong and classical works in New York, solidifying the groundwork for regular auctions in both locales. Crucially, under Chang’s visionary leadership, Sotheby’s established a legitimate price structure for individual artists and for the various types of anonymous Chinese paintings.
During his nearly 15-year stewardship of the Chinese Paintings Department at Sotheby’s New York, where he also served as vice president, Chang unveiled and made available to the public previously unknown or little-known works of art. His notable discoveries include Zhang Daqian’s (Chang Dai-chien, 1899-1983) monumental six-panel work “Giant Lotus,” held by the esteemed American magazine Reader’s Digest, the classical paintings of “Young Marshal” Zhang Xueliang (1901-2001) that later resulted in a single owner auction of Dingyuanzhai collection in Taipei, and the mythic handscroll “Ten Views of a Fantastic Rock” by Wu Bin (1573-1620), among many others. In 1992, Chang transitioned from Sotheby’s to Kaikodo, where he continued to profoundly influence the market for classical Chinese paintings and calligraphy in New York.
With the reestablishment of Sotheby’s Chinese Paintings Department in New York in 2012, Chang was reappointed as a consultant. Collaborating with department specialist Fang Xian, they secured a series of important artworks and single-owner auctions for the company. Noteworthy contributions include the offering of classical paintings from Chang’s mentor and esteemed Chinese painting historian, Professor James Cahill (1926-2014), the Roy and Marilyn Papp collection of Chinese paintings, and the legendary Chew family collection of Chinese paintings and calligraphy. Chang is a testament to the enduring appeal of Chinese paintings and calligraphy on the global stage, particularly in New York.
We invite everyone to the FQM New York space to join Chang and Fang in reflecting on their careers, sharing art market stories, and discussing the future of contemporary Chinese painting.
The event will take place on Sunday, June 16, starting at 10:30 AM. It is free and open to the public, available both online and in person.
