Nestled at the end of a quiet lane in Shanghai’s French Concession, Purple Roof Public Art (PRPA) is a public art space and a multifunctional institute. Julia Mao—art collector and founder of PRPA—invites us into her office to discuss how she started collecting, the art on her walls, and what it means to be supporting emerging artists.
Over the past 30 years, Mao has assembled a remarkable collection of contemporary art. For her, collecting art has been a fulfilling journey—it is a vital channel to champion the next generation of artists. “I studied music. I know art isn’t an easy path,” explains Mao. “People of my generation, if we have the means, should try to encourage the younger generation, and not to think about profits or monetary values.”
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