Malls haven’t historically been known as a destination for high-brow culture, but all of that is about to change thanks to Adrian Cheng.
The Chinese billionaire and founder of the K11 Art Foundation already operates malls in Hong Kong and Shanghai that merge retail and art. Featured pieces range from emergent Chinese artists to international big-names like Damien Hirst. Cheng has 17 more projects in the works for the Middle Kingdom, all due to be completed by 2020.
Soon enough you’ll be able to sip on your Orange Julius while admiring works from Salvador Dalí. K11’s Shanghai art mall is receiving works on loan from the Fundación Gala-Salvador Dalí this November. Other future collaborations include London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts, which will be participating in an art exchange with K11 this fall.
Cheng, heir to his family’s New World Development Company, is one of the world’s youngest billionaires. Despite his busy schedule as the company’s senior executive (and the director of 56 other companies…), his work with K11 has made him a recognized arbiter of taste and a major influencer in the art world. Art Review listed Cheng in their Power 100 of 2014.
Going to be in Shanghai or Hong Kong? Check out New World Development’s website to see what exhibitions are on view.
Won’t be visiting Asia anytime soon? Follow K11 on Instagram to see current and past installations.
