Katherine Schaefer of Simon Lee Gallery recalls the drama behind the first show she hosted in Hong Kong and reveals what she loves about the city
Simon Lee Gallery was part of the first wave of international galleries to open in Hong Kong—and it was Katherine Schaefer who led the charge. Katherine began working for Simon Lee Gallery in London in 2009, moved to Hong Kong in 2011 and the following year flung open the doors to the gallery’s space in Pedder Building—establishing a base in the city before the arrival of Art Basel persuaded many other international galleries to take the leap.
Over the past six years the Hong Kong gallery has gone from strength to strength, making a name for itself by showcasing both big-name international artists—such as Jim Shaw and Angela Bulloch—and local stars like Chris Huen-Sin Kan.
Here, Katherine reflects on the stress of installing Simon Lee Gallery’s first ever show in Hong Kong, explains what she loves about the city and discusses the rumours swirling about artist Cady Noland.
What was the first work of art that moved you?
For me it started with the classics at age 12 with Rembrandt. The beautiful European museums blew me away and it was on a trip to Amsterdam with my family that I first visited the Rijksmuseum—my three brothers bored quickly and my parents left me at the museum with the audio guide. I was glued to the paintings until the museum closed!
See also: 5 Contemporary Chinese Artists Inspired By Robert Rauschenberg