A30-year veteran of the antiques trade, Andy Hei is the founder of the Fine Arts Asia exhibition.
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How did you first get involved with arts and antiquities? How do you feel you’ve made a difference to the industry?
My father had a great deal of experience in the industry and he was very much my teacher and mentor in my younger days. He taught me all about antique furniture and the world of restoration. Later on, in New York, I was lucky enough to get the chance to work with my father’s good friend, Robert Ellsworth, a well-known Asian art collector. I couldn’t have asked for better tutors.
In terms of my contribution, as the markets began to decline in the US and Europe after the events of 9/11, I saw an opportunity to bring Asian art to a wider audience through art fairs. That was when I created what is now Fine Arts Asia. Despite a somewhat rocky start, it has become a great success. It has played a key role in bringing Asian – particularly Chinese – art to the world stage. I am very proud of what we’ve achieved.
Where would we find you on a Saturday?
The truth be told, on Saturdays, given a choice, I’d like to stay at home with my family and indulge in my favourite hobby – building model kits. I have loved this since I was a child. It is part of the reason why I enjoy restoring antique furniture quite so much. I have a whole room full of models that I have built over the years. In reality, though, Saturday is one of my busiest days. Customers and friends are always dropping by, even if they are not always coming in specifically to buy. Inevitably, I have to stay around to socialise and entertain them.
What is your zodiac sign?
I am a Sagittarian and I think that my character is very much in line with the sign. I am something of a free spirit and I daydream a lot. I also have a very vivid imagination. I hated sitting in the front of the class at school as my teacher would always yell at me since my mind was clearly elsewhere and far from focussed on any lesson we were studying. My imagination, though, has helped a lot with my business career. It has provided much of the inspiration for many of the things I have done and has played a key role in many of the successes I have achieved. Funnily enough, many of my best ideas come to me in the bath.
Are you much of a chess player?
Well I can play, but it’s not really something that I am interested in. I can play both the Chinese and Western versions of the game, but there are other pastimes – many of which require equal patience and concentration – that I prefer. I can’t stand waiting around for ages for something to happen. I prefer action. I used to enjoy playing bridge with my schoolmates. It was like Mah-jong, where you can chat about other things while playing.
What was the most frightening situation that you ever found yourself involved in?
Well, it was something that happened that was related to my business back in 2000, when I decided to exhibit at the New York Art Fair for the first time. It’s a Chinese tradition that important decisions like that, especially those involving money, should be discussed within the family. At the time, my father was against the idea, largely because of the costs involved in shipping heavy and bulky furniture to the US just for a show. It was very scary making the ultimate decision to go ahead.
My next most scary moment came soon after when I was meeting a major customer on the first night of the fair. He looked at one of my star pieces for about 10 minutes. My heart was in my mouth. Then, suddenly, he turned and said: “Come and pick up your cheque tomorrow.” I could hardly believe my ears. It was a sale worth more than US$1 million. Never in my wildest dreams, would I have imagined that I’d make such a big sale quite so quickly. It proved to me that you have to go right to the edge of the cliff and decide whether to leap or not. You must have the courage to take that chance. If you don’t, you’ll never know whether you would have succeeded or not. It did turn out to be the nice type of scary though. And, thankfully, I have no regrets.
Are you religious in anyway?
That’s an interesting question. My surname is Hei (or Hak in Cantonese) which means black. It’s an unusual name and one that shows my Muslim heritage. My father come to Hong Kong in 1949, but he was actually brought up in a small Muslim community in Beijing. We can trace our origins from our Arabic forefathers, who came to China in the Yuan dynasty, back in the 13th and 14th centuries. So I do believe in a God, no matter how you like to describe him. Everyone has their own idea of God, though, and it is very personal. The most important thing, however, is to be a good person and live the very best life that you can. So, yes, I follow the teachings of Islam.
Who would you say is your favourite film star?
Johnny Depp. It would have to be. I have been a fan ever since I saw him in Edward Scissorhands back in 1990 and it remains one of my favourite films to this day. I am also a great fan of Tim Burton, the director of the movie. I think the two make a great team. The character he played in Edward Scissorhands reminds me of myself when I was young – always wanting to try new things, but not always succeeding.
Can you tell us a secret?
Yes. Well sort of. In the kind of business that I am in, it wouldn’t be wise to tell you all of my secrets and the tricks of the trade. My father kept certain things to himself and I am doing the same nowadays. Some things you just have discovered by yourself. So my secret is that I keep some secrets to myself.
Is there an invention you really couldn’t live without?
That would have to be the air conditioner. I like the winter months and I really hate summer. I sweat a lot and, during the summer, I seem to feel wet and sticky all the time. The air conditioner is the one thing that makes may life more comfortable and worthwhile. I would definitely say that, rather than something more predictable, like the mobile phone.
What would you say is the most daring thing you’ve ever done in the name of fun?
Blowing up my toys. I used to build models of tanks and things when I was a kid and, one day, I decided I would try and blow them up, following something I’d seen in the movies. I’ve always been interested in history and remember seeing Patton and the movie showed the General’s advance through Italy during WWII, blowing everything up with his tanks as he went. So I foil-wrapped some matchstick heads added alcohol, making my own version of dynamite. I then set this explosion off in the kitchen. It created quite a blast and I was terrified. Luckily, I was able to clean everything up quite quickly. Thankfully, my father never discovered what had happened.
How would you describe your ideal partner?
Well, we wouldn’t need to have to have exactly the same sort of mind set for a start. I don’t need a clone of Andy Hei. My partner needs to have knowledge and ideas that I lack, so that we complement each other and make a new whole. We also don’t have to be together all the time. That is why my wife has a separate office. We should be able to work together, though, when the time and place are right. My father never had business partners and did everything by himself. That way he made sure he was not answerable to anyone else.
Is there a word that you think you overuse?
“Damn” – I use it as a release when I get frustrated or exasperated by things. That could be annoyance at other peoples’ inefficiency or frustration at my own forgetfulness. I find that as I get older, I can’t always remember where I put things. It drives me mad.
Korea or Japan?
I am a great fan of Japan. Actually, I have just come back from a holiday in Kyoto. Kyoto is so beautiful and picturesque – I have been there many times before and yet I never tire of it. I love Japanese food and I also find that it is very easy to do business in Japan. The Japanese are so very traditional and also very disciplined in their own way.
Were your schooldays the best days of your life?
No they weren’t and I haven’t kept in contact with any of my schoolmates, except for one who I’ve known since kindergarten and who’s always been my best friend. I was no good at sports and our school was very sports-oriented. I have also never liked being told what to do so I hated all the school discipline. That was the reason why I left school at 17 and started work as my father’s apprentice. So, I am only a high school graduate.
Besides money, what’s always in your wallet?
My ID card, credit cards, my Octopus card and my driving licence. I don’t keep family photos or anything like that. To me, they are too personal and I don’t want other people rifling through them if I lose my wallet. I also always have plenty of cash with me, though.
How did you propose to your wife?
It wasn’t anywhere exotic. In fact, I proposed in my apartment. That didn’t make it any less romantic, though. I already had the ring and, when I felt the moment was just right, I popped the question. You know in your heart when it is the right time and that’s what really counts.
Thank You