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Gong Fu Tie
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One city, two private museums — not many people can lay claim to two imposing art venues.
But heavyweight collector Liu Yiqian — who epitomizes the “Chinese Dream” of hard work and riches — opens his second museum this weekend, the Long Museum West Bund.
The highlight of the opening exhibition is Liu’s controversial acquisition, “Gong Fu Tie,” a work of calligraphy attributed to Song Dynasty (960-1279) poet and calligrapher Su Shi (1032-1101). It was a farewell letter to Su’s friend and poet, Guo Xiangzheng (1035-1113), also known by his literary name Gong Fu.
Liu purchased it at a Sotheby’s auction in 2013 for 50 million yuan (US$8 million). Its authenticity was challenged last December by three researchers from the Shanghai Museum who claimed it was a forgery from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Efforts to authenticate are underway.
Still, the exhibition is a demonstration of Liu’s confidence that the work is the genuine article.
The opening exhibition titled “Re-View” features more than 300 works by over 200 artists covering traditional, modern and contemporary Chinese art.
The museum covers 16,000 square meters on Longteng Avenue along the Huangpu River.
In late 2012, Liu opened his first private museum, Long Museum, on Luoshan Road in the Pudong New Area, showcasing ancient Chinese art and some contemporary works.
Rags-to-riches story
Super collector Liu, age 40, and his wife Wang Wei are considered by some to be China’s biggest collectors of ancient and contemporary Chinese art.
Tycoon Liu’s life is a rags-to-riches story. Born into a working-class family in Shanghai, Liu dropped out of school to help his mother with making handbags. He moonlighted as a taxi driver.
He invested in the stock market, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Wang, his wife, is the director of both their private museums. The couple is a part of new generation of wealthy Asians better known for splashing out on private jets, mega-sized yachts and sports cars.
The controversy over the “Gong Fu Tie” calligraphy has raised doubts about the authenticity of other works purchased by Liu for astronomical prices at other auctions around the world.
The issue of fakes is persistent in Chinese traditional art.
The West Bund Cultural Corridor, where Long Museum West Bund and the Yuz Museum, established by Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur and collector Budi Tek, are sited, is expected to shape up as the city’s latest art magnet.
Date: March 28-June 30, 10am-6pm
Address: 3308 Longteng Ave, Xuhui District
Admission: 50 yuan (80 yuan for 2 museums, valid for 1 month)
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