The M+ Sigg Collection serves as a comprehensive historical archive documenting the evolution of Chinese contemporary art from the 1970s to the present. Founded by Dr. Uli Sigg, a former ambassador who systematically collected over 1,500 works, the collection aims to mirror China’s social transformation and the intersection of politics, personal destiny, and artistic production. Sigg emphasizes that the collection's value lies in its historical significance and its role as a public cultural treasure rather than its market price.
The collection is showcased through a series of rotating exhibitions at M+ Museum, including 'From Revolution to Globalisation,' 'Another Story,' and 'Inner Worlds.' These exhibitions trace the shift from traditional mediums to experimental forms like video and conceptual art, highlighting key movements such as the '85 New Wave and the rise of Cynical Realism. By featuring seminal works by artists like Huang Yongping and Zhang Peili, the museum provides a critical perspective on how Chinese artists navigated globalization, consumerism, and the search for cultural identity.