Former investment banker Jenny Chau is no stranger to the art world, although until recently she has only been a passive observer, not a collector; her husband Brandon and his parents were the collectors in the family. “My husband practises martial arts, so he collects antique samurai swords as well as Chinese ink paintings,” she explains. His parents, meanwhile, are more interested in traditional paintings, both Western and Chinese. “That's actually very different from what I like.”

A move to a new home last year, when the family decided to refresh their collection, presented the perfect opportunity for Chau to begin purchasing art herself. Unlike her parents, Chau is more interested in the meaning and tatler_stories behind artworks rather than their monetary value. “I don't believe you make a fortune out of art pieces,” she says. “It's more of a hobby.” Chau has a strong interest in innovative sculpture and all things 3D, thanks to her academic background in engineering. “I'm not artistic. I don't know how to paint,” she says, “but I find works with a strong technical or historical background really interesting.”

As a Hongkonger, she is also interested in local artists and works incorporating Hong Kong elements. She recently discovered an artist who perfectly combines both her interests—Adrian Wong. She snapped up his pieces Untitled (I-II; III-IV), which are inspired by the old-fashioned metal gates that secure apartments, and hopes to purchase more pieces by Wong that incorporate neon lights. “Hong Kong actually has a lot of talent, but they’re not given the right sort of appreciation when compared to their effort,” she says. Does she have any advice for fledgling collectors? “Don't jump into decisions too quickly. Educate yourself first and figure out what you actually like.”

This article originally appeared in the March 2015 issue of Hong Kong Tatler

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