For love, for art

An art installation by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson at Long Museum West Bund in Shanghai. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Wang has specially chosen a large number of important art works by artists from Sichuan province for the opening show, saying that the achievements of artists from this region have not been truly reflected by other museums despite their importance to China's art scene.

"Chongqing has great significance in the modern Chinese art scene. Besides, I want to be where we are most needed, rather than join a hyper-active art community, such as Beijing," said Wang, when asked why she chose the Southwestern municipality as the destination for Long Museum's latest expansion.

Pang Maokun, head of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, agrees with Wang about the under-representation of artists from Chongqing and Sichuan province, noting that their achievements are hardly known among the locals.

Pang added that the new Long Museum in Chongqing will play a positive role in the development of Chongqing's art ecology.

"Long Museum has collected thousands of top-notch artworks from home and abroad that span more than a thousand years. The quantity and quality of the collection is second to none in China," said Pang.

"More importantly, the professionalism and dedication of Long Museum will be a source of inspiration for other museum workers in the region."

Besides introducing famous artworks from around the world, Long Museum Chongqing will also serve as an educational center for the art schools and institutions in the region. Wang said that graduate students are welcome to do research at the museum, and that internship opportunities will be created.

Eliasson's exhibition will take place at Long Museum Chongqing next year but it will not have the same composition as the one in Shanghai. Wang said that 70 percent of this new showcase will consist of new artworks created specifically for the Chongqing museum.

Wang said that the museum's itinerary has been filled to as far as 2021 and it includes an exhibition of American artist James Turrell's works, as well as one featuring a collection of works by various women artists.

Directors of acclaimed institutions such as Tate Gallery of London and Whitney Museum of American Art have already expressed interest in Long Museums' exhibitions and are eager to participate in the activities there.

"People sometimes ask whether I have a team of consultants. Actually, it's a team of one person－it has always been just me," said Wang.

"But I never feel tired. There is only positive energy running through my veins. I am truly happy with what I do because it has brought me a great sense of satisfaction and fulfilment."