How sleep helps auctioneer Liang-lin Chen find right balance between career and health
- Chinese ceramics and works of art specialist at Christie’s Hong Kong is known for her engaging and charismatic auctioneering performances on the podium
- To unwind from life’s stresses she likes most of all to see friends and family, exercise with Thai boxing, yoga or a weekend hike, and mindful rest
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Away from the stress of work, Liang-lin Chen knows how to reset her body and maintain a healthy life
When you see Liang-lin Chen commanding the podium, switching effortlessly between English and Mandarin during auctions on stage at Christie’s Hong Kong, it is hard to believe that the dynamic auctioneer, dressed in her signature qipao, describes herself as an introvert.
“Normally, I’m not as bubbly as a person,” she says. “I’m friendly, but otherwise I’m sometimes occupied with thoughts. So I need a bit of notice before … I just have to have a mental shift: I need to get into a role.”
Behind that charismatic presence, a lot of hard work goes into making sure that an auction is a success, and that also comes with stress. But Chen has learned how to balance things out by having a supportive social network, maintaining an active lifestyle away from work and remembering to get enough sleep. Her love for handling artefacts at work, which she finds rewarding, also keeps her going.
Chen’s appreciation of beautiful things began at a young age, and was influenced by her parents, who loved taking her to the museum. As a child, she was too young to understand the importance of the objects in front of her, but her mother would try to point out particular items and describe them to her in simple language.
“I think that sowed a seed in my brain of how I really enjoy looking at our artwork,” Chen says.
After taking a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the prestigious Cornell University in the United States in 2006, Chen took a gap year before pursuing a master of letters degree in arts of China at Christie’s Education in London – the only academic institution wholly owned by an auction house – which specialises in art business and the art market, art history, art world ecosystems, curating and connoisseurship.
The one-year programme paved the way for an illustrious career at the renowned auction house. She has moved from junior roles in both Hong Kong and New York to more senior positions and is now associate vice-president and specialist head of sales in the Chinese ceramics and works of art department.
