A focused conversation with established and new collectors challenging our expectations on collecting to exhibiting. We meet with Jacobo Garcia Gil who hosts his collection in virtual reality, Yuri van der Leest a second generation collector to Queenie Rosita Law now running her art company in Hong Kong and Budapest and David Peereboom an artist and private collector. Listen in on their debate, as they share the differences, impacts and reasoning’s behind each realized decision and their pathways to success in the competitive world of collecting.

Over the past decade, Garcia Gilhas built a relevant and diverse collection of visual works by both established and newly emerging artists from across Asia and Europe, with a specific focus on contemporary paintings that examine the current socio-cultural climate. His collection, Divide By Zero, is supported by an influential network of leading international gallerists, artists, editors and other collaborators. It’s purpose is to serve as a curatiorial mean to support artists even further.

The professional career of Mr. Garcia roots through two decades of investment banking across two continents – Asia and America. Born and raised in Colombia, Mr. Garcia relocated from Peru to Singapore in the early 2000s, and has lived in Asia ever since. In 2008, Mr. Garcia made Hong Kong his home, and established the Collection therein.

Mr. Garcia received an honours degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Icesi in Colombia before working for Standard Chartered in Colombia, Peru and Singapore. In the early 2003, he joined the ranks of Credit Suisse Singapore for over four years, prior to relocating to Hong Kong with Newedge (now Societe Generale) in 2008. Mr. Garcia is presently the Deputy Head of Risk Management Financial Markets for a major European Financial Institution, he joined in 2011.

Divide By Zero Holdings Limited was established in Hong Kong in 2014, with Mr. Garcia as founder and sole director. @dividebyzerocollection

Driven by a lifelong passion for artistic expression and design, founder and director of Q Art Group Queenie Rosita Law has travelled the world seeking opportunities that bridge the divide between great artists and those who cherish art and culture across all borders.

A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, Queenie’s journey from artist to entrepreneur led to the founding of Q Art Group, a threefold venture that reflects her belief that art can be appreciated through an array of diverse forms. Curating and producing artwork through its private museum, commercial gallery and art studio, Q Art Group mirrors Queenie’s philosophy that art speaks to us and exists in every corner of daily life. A true devotee of artistic discovery, she was captivated by Central and Eastern European (CEE) contemporary art after falling in love with the raw expression and powerful energy of artists from the region. Queenie began collecting vibrant CEE art during her travels and subsequently founded Q Contemporary as a private museum in Budapest, dedicated to promoting and researching great artists from the region.

Inspired by her late grandfather Law Ting-Pong, entrepreneur and founder of fashion brand Bossini, Queenie continues to travel the world in search of new ventures that align with her fascination with art, culture and those who inspire their creation. @queenierositalaw

David Peereboom’s design calling is a culmination of a two decades-long journey of creative exploration through ambitious experimentation, and international brand collaborations. Having worked with both upstart and international musicians, Peereboom’s label, NFA, is intrinsically linked with rock culture and its unapologetic attitude towards authenticity and individuality.

Echoing the philosophies of rock music, David’s design ideology is founded on an objective rejection of fashion as an autonomous, rule-bound aesthetic form and a belief that ‘style of fashion’ harbours a special ability to create affective social impact and function as a limit and label-transgressing link at both collective and individual levels. Peereboom also believes in promoting anti-discrimination through personal engagement and inclusive design, as echoed by the conspicuous adaptation of the skull as its logo; a motif absent of gender, race, or religion. “Inside each of us, is all of us”. @nfabold

Yuri van der Leest’s art collecting journey began in 2012, when he first saw Approaching Shadow, Ho Fan’s iconic 1954 photo of his cousin against a wall in Causeway Bay, seemingly stalked by a shadow of time, memory, sanctuary or perhaps fear. Struck by how one photo can simultaneously capture the fragility of beauty and life and the texture and shapes of an always-changing city, he began somewhat obsessively building a collection that now spans genres, continents and cultures, but has Hong Kong at its heart.

Over the years, Yuri has explored a network of galleries that foster local talent and a widening circle of public and private art institutions and foundations in Hong Kong. He has also attended art fairs at home and abroad and has met and talked with countless artists who are generous with their thoughts and time. The collection he has built through this process resonates on many levels. He describes the process of falling in love with and acquiring an artwork as a movement from visual fascination to intellectual curiosity–and ultimately to passion. Sometimes this process takes years and others it plays out in a single second of inspiration.

Yuri grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada, but has since lived in South Korea, the US and Hong Kong. He has worked as a writer, editor, researcher, teacher and consultant, but perhaps the best description of his profession is “communicator”. He currently works for Teneo, a global CEO consultancy. Yuri holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in English Literature from Dalhousie and Queen’s University in Canada, respectfully, and an MBA from Hong Kong University. He should read and learn a lot more about art and art history, but for now, is simply enjoying the riches that spread out before his eyes. @yuri_vdleest

Join us for this series of behind-the-scenes programs that will allow us to observe the conversations of some of Hong Kong’s finest artists, collectors and curators. Each session is designed to take a peek behind the curtain as the speakers connect, discuss, share thoughts and gather ideas without boundaries. Watch these conversations flow LIVE at the Art Central auditorium.

Small Talks Series

May 19th - Collector's Circle

May 20th - Encountering Strangers

May 21st - Innovating expression

May 22nd - Independent Art Spaces 

May 23rd - Spatial Traces