Chinese-born Pinyuan Li has lived in London for eight years and has been collecting art for five years. As well as works by several Asian artists, Li also has pieces by Laure Prouvost, Tracey Emin, Leonor Fini, Antony Gormley and Ryan Gander.
Now she wants to interact with other young collectors and is launching the Summer House, a forum for art enthusiasts to meet and exchange experiences, along the lines of the 19th-century salons.
Li is currently finishing her PhD in Eastern Studies at Sheffield University. She comes from a mainland Chinese family who also collect, but in a more traditional field—notably maps.
The Art Newspaper: What was the first work you ever bought?
Pinyuan Li: A mixed medium panel by Andrew Bick. I was drawn to its blend of layered texture and graphic forms.
What was the last work you bought?
A small painting by Cheri Smith. Her works evoke surreal feelings through human, animal and natural forms.
How quickly do you decide to buy a work of art?
Some works connect with me naturally and instantly. In 2023 I came across a piece by Manuel Mathieu, created during his Paris residency and presented by HdM Gallery at Art Brussels. I was already familiar with his practice, yet his new works continue to bring something fresh, so I made my decision quickly. Mathieu’s works remind me of the emotional relationship between personal experience and collective memory. It was also wonderful to see his pieces at the Venice Biennale 2026 in In Minor Keys.
What do you regret not buying when you had the chance?
I don’t feel regret if I’m not able to buy a piece. I hope to cross paths with the artist’s works again in the near future, whether through another opportunity or in a museum exhibition. The fact that some works remain out of reach can be part of the appeal.
If you could have any work from any museum, what would it be?
The Ten Largest set (1907) by Hilma af Klint. It’s hard to pick just one. I saw the series at Moderna Museet in Stockholm in 2022. Her exploration of different life stages through abstraction and spirituality is so mesmerising. The imagery keeps popping into my mind.
Finding the flow: to get away from it all, Pinyuan Li likes to take a ferry along the river Rhine during Art Basel week Anna Stampfli
Where do you like to eat and drink while you’re in Basel?
Eiscafé Acero has a lovely selection of homemade savoury and sweet food, and it is not far from the fair.
Do you have any parties lined up?
I’m looking forward to the breakfast gathering hosted by Delfina Foundation and to discovering new projects by its expansive network of artists, curators and patrons.
What’s your least favourite thing about art fairs?
There’s always the fear of missing a booth that might have something that catches my eye. Fairs can be overwhelming. I tend to take short breaks every hour to recharge and regain my focus before continuing to look at the works.
Where do you go in Basel to get away from it all?
Take the ferry to see Basel from afar and feel the river flow calmly.
