Calvin Hui, a Hong Kong native who began collecting art as a student with a print by Joan Miró, has turned his passion into a career. After buying his first 'serious' work—Jar with Horizontal Colour Bars (2005) by Farhad Moshiri—he expanded his collection and eventually opened 3812 Gallery in Hong Kong in 2011, specializing in Chinese contemporary art and ink works. In 2018, he and a co-founder opened a second gallery in London’s Mayfair, which is set to relocate to The Whiteley London. Hui previously ran his own public relations, events, and marketing firm before transitioning to the art world.
This story matters because it illustrates the growing trend of collectors becoming gallerists, leveraging their business acumen and personal networks to shape the market for Chinese contemporary art internationally. Hui’s trajectory from hobbyist to gallery owner in both Hong Kong and London highlights the increasing globalization of the art market and the role of personal passion in driving cultural exchange. His emphasis on ink painting and Chinese modern art also underscores a niche sector gaining visibility beyond Asia.