The Political Economy of the Chinese Contemporary Art Market: Institutions, Value, and Global Circulation

Abstract

This doctoral research examines the political economy of the Chinese contemporary art market, with particular attention to the institutional processes through which artistic and economic value are produced. Situated at the intersection of economic sociology, political economy, and contemporary art studies, the project investigates how market institutions, intermediaries, and valuation practices have shaped the development and global circulation of Chinese contemporary art. The research focuses on the interconnected roles of mainland China and Hong Kong within the development of the Chinese contemporary art market and its relationship with global markets. Through empirical research on art markets and their institutional infrastructures, the project examines how Chinese contemporary art is valued, classified, presented, and positioned as it moves across different market and institutional contexts. The study draws on a combination of qualitative and quantitative sources, including art market and auction data, market reports, catalogues, institutional and corporate materials, and other publicly available documentation. It aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the relationship between institutions, markets, and the production of artistic and economic value in the global circulation of Chinese contemporary art.