Just 23 years old, Michael Xufu Huang is already a prominent collector and curator. Michael Xufu Huang, pictured alongside an installation by Swiss artist Pamela Rosenkranz, whose works feature in M Woods' extensive collection.
Courtesy of M WOODS
The M Woods exhibition "Heart of the Tin Man" was curated by co-founder Huang, who says that he is drawn to art that "respond(s) to realities and social issues predicated by new technologies and mobile connectivity." Pictured are two paintings by contemporary artist Austin Lee, who began both artworks as digital doodles on an iPad before painting them on canvas.
Courtesy of M WOODS
He co-founded the not-for-profit contemporary art museum M Woods alongside fellow young collectors Lin Han and Wanwan Lei.
Courtesy of Michael Xufu Huang
Multidisciplinary artist Amalia Ulman used Instagram to stage a five-month-long scripted performance that explored aspirational and consumerist lifestyles. Huang purchased the work above by Ulman.
Courtesy of M WOODS
Kylie Ying co-founded the ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair with her husband in 2013. She is one of China's most prominent young collectors.
Courtesy of Kylie Ying
The 2013 painting "Security System" is one of several works by Hong Kong-based artist Firenze Lai that appear in Ying's collection.
Courtesy of Kylie Ying
As well as works by leading Chinese artists, Ying's collection also includes works from the West, such as these sculptures by the American pop artist Kaws.
Courtesy of Kylie Ying
Adrian Cheng, pictured here being interviewed by CNN Style's Derek Blasberg, is one of the world's youngest billionaires. Having founded the K11 Art Foundation, Cheng is also a prominent art collector.
Courtesy of Adrian Cheng
An installation from the exhibition "Guan Xiao: Elastic Sleep," which took place in October 2016 at Adrian Cheng's Chi K11 Art Space. The Shanghai gallery hosts shows by both established and emerging artists.
Courtesy of K11 Art Foundation
Adrian Cheng's K11 Art Foundation acts as an incubator for young Chinese artists. It also supports curators, in order "to ensure that the (Chinese art) ecosystem continues to develop in a balanced way," Cheng said.
Courtesy of K11 Art Foundation
Nearly 70% of artworks purchased in China in 2016 went through auction houses, according to a joint report by Art Basel and the banking giant UBS. Sold at Poly Auction Beijing, "Five Drunken Kings Return on Horses" by Ren Renfa was the most expensive work of Chinese art sold at auction in 2016.
Courtesy of Beijing Poly International Auction
Chinese collectors have maintained their interest in works from their home country, helping to increase the value of Chinese art. In 2016, art by Zhang Daqian generated more money at auction than any other artist in the world, according to the art database Artprice.
Courtesy of Beijing Poly International Auction
Founded by Lorenz Helbling in 1996, ShanghART was one of China's first contemporary art galleries. More than 20 years later, it expanded into four different spaces, including the 2,000-square-meter gallery pictured. "(Chinese art collectors) have become more knowledgeable, sophisticated and ambitious," Helbling said.
