Chloe Suen is the Chair of the Simon Suen Foundation, the charity that owns and manages Hong Kong’s most stylish repository of Chinese art and culture – the Sun Museum in Kwun Tong.
Click here to see Chloe Suen on video
Can you tell us a little more about the Sun Museum, what it does and what inspired its foundation?
My family has been involved in the arts for a long time and, after a decade of work and research, we decided to create a platform that would allow the Hong Kong public to really enjoy the Chinese arts. With this in mind, back in 2012, we committed to launching the museum. It is run by the Simon Suen Foundation – named after my father – an institution that is also quite heavily involved with a number of tertiary education facilities in the city, such as the Baptist University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University, where it particularly supports their research into Sinology and Chinese classical studies. We also do work with a number of universities on the mainland.
As keen museum goers ourselves, especially the world class establishments to be found in Paris, London and New York, we were inspired to create just such a repository in Hong Kong. Given the city’s large number of renowned collectors and its importance as an art and culture hub across Asia, we felt it was more than fitting. Despite its rather out-of-the-way location, we have been pleasantly surprised by the high levels of attendance we attract. At present, I run the museum and we are also fortunate to have Yeung Chun-tong – a renowned art expert – as one of our directors.
We held our inaugural exhibition in May last year. Under the theme “Dawn of a Sunny Century,” and showcased 13 of the 20th century’s true masters. We followed this with “Kaleidoscope of Memories,” a unique look at 10 Hong Kong oil painters. Our next exhibition will again focus on Hong Kong, this time featuring some of the city’s ceramic treasures. We already have another five exhibitions lined up, so that will take us up to mid-2017. Among those waiting in the wings are an ink masters’ showcase, an exhibition of water colours and another ceramics show. All in all, that’s not too bad for such a young institution.
Are great artists born or is it an acquired skill?
I really have to say that I think it is a bit of both. Even the most talented individual still needs guidance and training, only then can innate ability be nurtured and, ultimately, showcased. Artists really have to persevere in order to succeed. Raw talent has to be honed. Having said that, though, if they don’t have real talent to start off with, it would be almost impossible to train someone to be a true artist.
Who is your favourite film star?
This is a really tough one. I love films. It was one of my earliest passions, even before I got interested in art. There are just so many stars that I really like. Right off the top of my head, though, I would have to say Woody Allen. I know that some say he’s better as a director than an actor, but I still rate him. He really makes me laugh and in an awkward sort of way. I could be the only one laughing in the cinema sometimes. I sort of feel awkward and embarrassed for him. I don’t really know whether I am laughing with him or at him. It’s a bit weird, but I love that.
What is you favourite drink?
It’s called an Old Fashioned. It’s made using sugar and bitters, with either brandy or whiskey added. It doesn’t matter which, but never both. It’s then finished off with a twist of citrus rind. For my own part, I prefer it with whiskey.
What was your first job?
My first paid job was as a sales girl in a chain fashion retail outlet. It was during the summer before I went to university. It really taught me to appreciate the people who work in a retail environment, giving me an understanding of what they have to put up with. Standing around for eight hours is very tiring, as is smiling the whole day and trying to be friendly to everyone. It was a lot tougher than I expected. For some reason, whatever size the customer required was in the stock room. This saw me forever climbing up ladders to get stuff down.
Which major world event would you say has most affected you?
When 9/11 happened, I was in an international relations class at the University of Pittsburgh as a sophomore. It was about 9.30 in the morning and our professor did not show up. We later learned that she was a national security advisor and had been called to Washington by President Bush. Those events really shook me and had quite an impact on me as a 19-year old girl. It’s hard to think that those sort of events could take place in the 21st century. One of the planes crashed in Pennsylvania, not too far away from the University. It did, however, make me feel very grateful for just how safe and peaceful our life is in Hong Kong.
Do you like fancy dress parties?
I have grown to like them. I hated them as a kid. I had to dress up in things I hated and I felt I looked ridiculous. As I’ve grown older, though, I’ve come to enjoy the whole idea – as long as I can choose what I wear. It’s a great opportunity to dress up and to meet people you haven’t seen for a long time. I don’t, however, like costume parties. There is quite a distinct difference between the two, in fact.
Chopsticks or Western cutlery by choice?
That’s a funny question. I suppose it very much depends on just what you are eating. My favourite food is Cantonese, as opposed to other Chinese cuisines, so I suppose I use chopsticks more often. Whilst you can use knives and forks to eat Chinese food, it doesn’t really work the other way.
Is there somewhere you’ve never visited that you would love to go?
Outer space. I don’t just want to go to the edge of space, though. I’d like to go on the SpaceX vehicle, the one that takes you out to the International Space Station (ISS). That would be far more fun.
What did your parents do for a living?
Many years ago, they started a very successful company, one that they actually still run today. It is a specialist supplier of labels and tags for clothing. Their latest products use Radio Frequency Identification – RFID. These are a new kind of label that can communicate wirelessly with inventory systems, ensuring you always know what is in stock. It’s called just-in-time inventory.
When did you last tell a white lie?
I am sure that I am always telling them but, just at the moment, I can’t remember when the last one was. That is probably clear evidence that I tell them way too often. Maybe I should change my ways.
What is the best compliment that you have ever received?
Well, I am not sure if it was actually a double-edged compliment. My sister and I always talk about everything, fashion, hairstyles, things like that. Recently, she said to me: “You already look really smart; you don’t have to dress so smart. Dress pretty.” It was nice of her to say I look smart but, on the other hand, she clearly thinks I don’t dress prettily.
Bring about world peace or end famine – which would you rather do?
That is really tough. I feel the two are actually hugely inter-related. If we genuinely had world peace, then I think that would solve a lot of the other problems. I think an end to famine would be one of those that would automatically follow.
When did you last go to the cinema?
Two weeks ago. I went to see Star Wars – The Force Awakens. I loved it. I am a huge Star Wars fan and have waited ages for this film to come out. I particularly liked it because I had the chance to watch it alone. If I’d watched it with people who hadn’t seen the other six, I would have had to explain all the intricacies of those and that would have been a nightmare.
What’s the most extravagant purchase you’ve ever made?
A piece of art. My father’s been collecting for years, but I only started last year. I bought a work by one particular Hong Kong artist. It’s an investment and it also supports the artist. Most of all, though, it’s about the pure enjoyment of having something so wonderful on the wall to constantly admire.
When did you last get lost?
About two hours ago. It was in Causeway Bay and I spent 45 minutes trying to find a parking lot. It’s all a one-way system now and I lost the signal for my SatNav. It always happens to me when I’m on Hong Kong Island. You just have to lean to rely on your instincts.
Is crying a sign of strength or of weakness?
It is not a straight apple-to-apple comparison. I don’t really think that it’s in any way a sign of weakness. I think it’s just an expression of one’s emotions. Everyone is different and expresses their feelings in a variety of different ways. I find it takes a lot of strength to be in the presence of someone who is crying, though.
What is your most hated TV show?
I dislike most reality TV shows – they bring out the worst in people. They always concentrate on peoples’ misery and I don’t like that.
If you had your own TV show, what would it be about?
I love documentaries, so it would probably be some sort of documentary show. It would be something involving research, investigations and carrying out interviews with interesting people.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. I never get up early enough to experience a sunrise. Where I live I get a very good view of the sunsets and I love to watch all the different colours.
Thank you.