Member-only story
“Chinese civilization is ready for a new interpretation!”
An interview with Michael Xincheng Du, Chinese art & antique collector, founder of Baozhen International Art Auction House
After a career in international business & trade, Michael settled in Canada and plunged himself into the world of collectors, amassing an exciting, unusual collection. Now living between his native China and his new found home, he has come a long way from his roots growing up in Harbin, the Northeast Chinese city with a strong European accent.
JO: Hi Michael, what initially inspired your interest in collecting Chinese art and antique?
M: The first works I bought were at antique markets, all sorts of artifacts that I had stumbled across, from Ming huanghuali furniture to auspicious jade objects to Buddhist art and icons. After living with them for a while, I realized I was a bit embarrassed with my random choice. I am emotional, even obsessive in my response to art and if the work reflects something about my inner self. I felt like I lacked something that truly touched me but I didn’t know what it was I was missing at the beginning.
