Earlier this year, Wendy Lin was named the new chairman of Sotheby’s in Asia. She speaks to Tatler about the thrill of a telephone bid and how she hopes to make others see the world from a different perspective
Having first joined Sotheby’s in 1997 to grow the business across Asia, US-raised, Taipei-based Wendy Lin left and returned to the company in 2013 to become the managing director of Sotheby’s Taiwan and subsequently deputy chairman of Asia in 2018. Before rejoining Sotheby’s, Lin worked for Chanel, growing its fine jewellery and watch business in Taiwan.
Lin has played a key role in numerous record-breaking sales, including the auction debut of the late French Chinese painter Sanyu’s 1963 piece Branches, which went under the hammer for US$11.1 million in 2022.
The auction house is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Asia this year, with a new house opening next year in Hong Kong. Here, Lin speaks to Tatler about her secrets for success.
When did you realise you had a passion for the arts?
I have always loved reading about art and then seeing it in person, and having some kind of dialogue and connection [with it]. In a painting, you can be immersed into a beautiful scene in Versailles in the 19th century. With a delicate imperial porcelain bowl, you can imagine an emperor and his lavish lifestyle in the palace.
Even as a child, I was always fascinated with ancient history, from the Greek and Roman empires to Chinese ancient history, and the arts and cultures behind these civilisations. In every civilisation, art played an instrumental role in inspiring and shaping the minds of its people. I like to think of myself as a lifelong student of art and history.
You have a background in fashion and experience in jewellery, with a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. How do you relate this to your role at Sotheby’s?
Even when I was at Chanel or studying as a gemologist, I was still in the art world. Fashion is art—you can’t separate them—and the same applies to gemology. When I see a red vivid Burmese ruby that was created a billion years ago as the centre stone of a necklace once worn by an empress of Russia, I am immersed in the art world. Art is everywhere.