Perhaps you've heard of the architecture company boss that became a well-known art collector- but have you heard of the man who built his own art museum?
Chairman Chang puts aesthetic concept into action. He is both the founder of Dahin Development and the president of Top Scene Advertising Co.,Ltd, he's done a lot of work for the marketing design business. He was once ridiculed, called a fool, told to stick to architecture. Now he is revered by the industry at home as well as abroad, praised for contributing to Taiwan through his beautiful buildings, which include "Blue Ocean" and "Heinakawa" among other famous landmarks.
Chang compares the collection process to the germination of seeds. When we can see the budding of a plant with the naked eye, is this when the plant is considered alive? Or does the life of the plant begin before we can see it, when the seed has built up energy to grow beneath its surface?
"I love art both obsessively and unconsciously."
Chang has superb artistic taste, cultivated from his longstanding interest in art works; when he was young he often visited the gallery at Dr.Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. He has said simply observing paintings is free, but a valuable way to cultivate aesthetic taste. This spirit of valuing art influences his future collection and artistic insight.
He remembers buying his first painting, a work by Yang Shin-Sheng, and even before he was wealthy he purchased Li Shi-Chiao's first million-dollar painting.
"Collection is part of his life, it is his fate."
Chang did not deliberately pursue this path in life. Collection is a part of his life, and it is also his fate. But most architects are more focused on the rhythm and layout of a space.
With regards to his collection, he also has well-known and unique work by Teacher Paul Chiang. Chang met Paul Chiang for the first time in 1998 at the Eslite exhibition, and their relationship continues to this day. So far he has had three exhibitions for Paul Chiang at his Art Box. In Art Box, he even specifically designed a space just for Paul Chiang's work. Chang Yu-Neng sees Paul Chiang as a teacher and friend, appreciating his talent and experience, and especially valuing his mind and his life philosophy.
"I love Taiwan, I want my work to contribute to my country"
Chang loves Taiwan, it is the most important place in his life: and so he wants to invest in supporting the future of domestic artists. For him, it is through his life's collection that he is helping to write the history of this land. Though there are many interesting works from Beijing as a product of the Cultural Revolution, but Chang Yu-Neng is not interested in collecting those works because they represent the history of China.
"Can you give some advice to new collectors looking to start a collection?"
For every collector, when you first start you are fated to collect things that match you. Chang cautions beginners to take it slow- don't rush to buy things and do your homework. As a collector, reading and understanding the background of the work you buy is most important. Learning some art history is essential, look at more art exhibitions, and get to know the important pieces from the past.
"What role does your collection play in your life? Spiritual Inspiration?
In our modern world we have become too reliant on textual communication, too dependent on speech. In fact, other methods of communication: through dance, through sound and light, or through performance, are equally important and give different perspective. Chang Yu-Neng's buildings are one such method of expression, giving the voice to feelings about America and aspiring to inspire others. His slow growth came from inspiration, and he hopes his audience can also find that paintings are a form of inspiration. Chang's art collection is a way for him to communicate with the public as well as an expression of his own artistic perspective.
（Figure 1）Chang sat in front of Paul Chiang's work "pislian17-17"
（Figure 2 top）Chang stood in front of Chiang's work “Auf Flügeln des Gesanges”
（Figure 2 bottom）Artbox
