How can collectors break through the bottleneck when traditional and contemporary art engage in a contest of influence?

We are witnessing the transformation of the current collection market from old to new. The core value of traditional collection categories comes from the craftsmanship aesthetics accumulated over history. However, the market has long shifted from simply chasing “antique items” to “rebirth of ancient techniques”. For instance, the kiln-firing of Longquan celadon by the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage integrates ancient techniques with modern aesthetics. Even the re-fired works have surpassed the ancient standards. “New” artworks have avoided the legal risks and authenticity disputes in the antique market and have become new options for high-net-worth collectors’ asset allocation.

The contemporary art market shows cyclical fluctuations. Chinese contemporary art undergoes a cycle every 10 to 15 years. It entered the consolidation period in 2024. Economic downturn is actually an opportunity for layout. The prices of works by young artists are still in a value trough and their academic value remains to be explored. They can achieve long-term value through multiple channels such as galleries, auctions, and art museums. Mature collectors emphasize the five-step rule of “seeing, following, listening, learning, and entering”, and they are deeply involved in the art ecosystem.

The experience of Western century-old collection families proves that nourishing family aesthetic genes with art can achieve the intergenerational inheritance of cultural capital and wealth. The tide of the art market has never stopped, but tradition and modernity are not mutually exclusive. The revival of ancient techniques by artisans injects nutrients into contemporary creation, and young artists also draw inspiration from tradition, forming a two-way nourishment. Truly good things will be consolidated in time. The essence of collection is not only a competition of eyesight but also a test of determination. Only by crossing the fog of cycle can one witness the gifts of time.