Paul Leong, a Hawaii-born finance executive and co-chair of Friends at the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, discusses his provocative art collection in an interview with Cultured. Leong favors challenging, conceptual works that he describes as "ugly painting," including pieces by Merlin Carpenter, Jana Euler, Matt Browning, Claire Fontaine, Michael E. Smith, Rayan Yasmineh, and Stefan Tcherepnin. He credits art advisor Thea Westreich with teaching him to prioritize meaning over appearance, and recounts the hard-won acquisition of a Jana Euler work from a 2020 show at Artists Space in New York after persistent engagement with her galleries.
This article matters because it offers insight into the mindset of a young, high-net-worth collector who deliberately seeks out difficult, institutionally coveted art rather than safe, decorative pieces. Leong's approach reflects a broader trend among a new generation of collectors who treat art acquisition as both analytical due diligence and social escape, and who value conceptual rigor over market popularity. His role on the MoMA Contemporary Arts Council and Foundation for Contemporary Arts also highlights how finance professionals increasingly shape institutional patronage and taste.