Living with art may be a daunting prospect for some. The humidity, lighting, and space are just some of the concerns, particularly in a city like Hong Kong. But art collector William Zhao, in the industry for more than 25 years, has mastered decorating a home with artwork in a way that adds warmth and character to everyday life without dominating a space.
In the sitting room, a Danh Võ ‘Alphabet’ coffee table sits in front of a salon hang with works by Hurvin Anderson, Carol Rama and Georg Baselitz amongst others
Photo: Mitchell Geng
Artworks 'Dead Soldier' by Calvin Marcus and 'The Grandson' by Liu Xiaodong hang in the stairwell
Photo: Mitchell Geng
Home-of-five-years for William and his partner is a six-storey house on The Peak, with a private garden overlooking Victoria Harbour on one side, and a shared swimming pool on the other. Having moved to Hong Kong from Paris 18 years ago, the house gave William the space and openness he’d been craving ever since. “I immediately enjoyed how open it was. This house gives you space to breathe,” he says. The ceiling height was also a draw, with hanging large contemporary artworks in mind. “In Hong Kong, most of the apartments have low ceilings, which would be difficult to fit contemporary artworks, but here the ceilings are more than four metres high.” An internal stairway gives further height still, hosting striking pieces such as American artist Calvin Marcus’s ‘Dead Soldier’ in oil stick, cel-vinyl, liquid watercolour and emulsified gesso.
The master bedroom also features a salon hang above the bed and, on the floor, an Iranian tribal kilim from the early 20th century
Photo: Mitchell Geng
In many of the rooms, William has decorated with a curated salon hang of works. “I do a lot of salon hanging because I feel one piece can feel cold,” says William. “Salon hanging is warmer and more homely.” This is pulled off to a charming effect in the sitting room. Artworks including French Grille by Hurvin Anderson, Senza Titolo by Carol Rama and Die Kuh (The Cow) Georg Baselitz are hung alongside one another, adding interest to the room.
William’s passion for furniture design gives added depth to the space. Two large green velvet sofas are arranged either side of a Danh Võ ‘Alphabet’ coffee table made from gold leaf on cardboard, while a 1950s leather and teak sofa by Niels Vodder is positioned alongside a set of Finn Juhl chairs acquired from Hostler Burrows – sculptural shapes in front of floor-to-ceiling glass windows that capture the greenery outside. In a corner of the room, a pair of Duan Jianyu ‘Artistic Chickens,’ exhibited at Venice Biennale in 2003, sit on a Hervé van der Straeten ‘Pipe Show Console’ table made from polished and gilded inox tubes. Outside in the garden, a Gao Weigang ‘Discovery’ sculpture in titanium and stainless steel resembles a unicorn’s head appearing from the lawn.
In the sitting room, a 1950s leather and teak sofa by Niels Vodder is positioned alongside a set of Finn Juhl chairs
Photo: Mitchell Geng
Antique furniture and art combine in a corner
Photo: Mitchell Geng
“I believe a home is like a life record,” says William, whose hope is that “everything around becomes a topic, sparking intellectual conversation.” William regularly entertains at home, hiring a chef or cooking for close friends, wanting to create a space for people to switch off from the grind of Hong Kong life. “My home has become an environment to communicate with people,” he says. Along with the sitting room, the dining room provides ample space to entertain. Dining chairs by Italian designer Guglielmo Ulrich are set around a large glass table by Chinese artist Gao Weigang, lit by a three-armed adjustable ceiling light by Arredoluce above. Here too, a salon hang adds warmth, with a single artwork opposite it.
Sourcing plays a large role in William’s life, both for his own collection of art and furniture, and the art acquisitions of the clients he is advising. He regularly travels between art and design hubs, including Paris where he has a home, meeting artists and attending auctions or the most important fairs. “Basel Basel, Art Basel Hong Kong and Paris FIAC are three of most important places for me to see art and find information on what’s new and going on,” says William, whose office features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stashed with books on artists he’s admired or met along the way. “Life passes so fast, we should enjoy the process of buying, using our hearts when collecting,” he says.
In William’s bedroom upstairs, a number of antique trunks and cabinets were bought in this vain, along with a large Iranian tribal kilim dating back to the early 20th century. For William, this journey of discovery appears as enjoyable as acquiring and living with the pieces themselves. Every room holds a story that he is only too happy to share.
Editor
Alice Riley-SmithCredit
Photography: Mitchell Geng
