Chinese Art: The Impossible Collection - Assouline

Over the last century, China has experienced a period of growth more rapid and utterly transforming than any other nation has experienced in modern history. How can we begin to understand the country that has emerged from such a dramatic era of change? Perhaps the answer can be found in China’s art. Certainly, that is what renowned art collectors Adrian Cheng and John Dodelande argue in their forthcoming volume, Chinese Art: The Impossible Collection. After all, China’s history as a land of enormous influence stretches back to its dynastic past, and the nation’s art has always been in conversation with its customs. The most highly anticipated volume in Assouline’s exclusive Ultimate series, Chinese Art: The Impossible Collection spotlights 100 works of contemporary art that reveal the social, political, and cultural evolution of a nation on the rise. Thoughtfully curated by Cheng and Dodelande, the 100 works are presented in chronological order, beginning with traditional paintings from the turn of the twentieth century and culminating with some of the most cutting-edge works by China’s “new generation” of artists, whose creations explore and often critique the politics that have defined China’s rapid growth into a new world power. The particular themes and conversations that these 100 works raise are glossed in essays and commentary from three of the world’s foremost experts on Chinese Art—Philip Tinari of the UCAA in Beijing, Alexandra Munroe of the Guggenheim in New York, and Karen Smith of OCAT Contemporary Art Terminal in Xi’an. While readers will come away from Chinese Art with a nuanced understanding of Chinese culture, the volume is also a work of art in its own right—a must-have collectible for any devotee of Chinese art and culture. Assouline’s Ultimate Collection is an homage to the art of luxury bookmaking—the oversized volume is hand-bound using traditional techniques, with several of the plates hand-tipped on art-quality paper and housed in a luxury silk clamshell. Complimentary white gloves and a signature canvas tote bag are included with each purchase from Assouline's Ultimate Collection

Details

• 194 pages
• Over 100 illustrations
• English language
• Released in May 2021
• W 35.56 x L 43.18 x D 7.49 cm
• Handcrafted edition in a luxury clamshell case
• ISBN: 9781614288848
• 9.072 kg

Author

Adrian Cheng is a prolific and dedicated collector of contemporary Chinese art, and a powerful force on the global art scene. In 2020, the journal ArtReview ranked him twelfth in its list of the 100 most influential people in the art world. That influence is due in part to his K11 Art Foundation, a non-profit organisation that promotes emerging artists internationally. Cheng also holds positions with some of the world’s leading art institutions, among them the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Met in New York, and the Royal Academy in London. John Dodelande, technology-art entrepreneur, businessman, and investor, is perhaps most well-known as a leading collector of Chinese contemporary art. Dodelande has spent the last decade amassing a collection from many of China’s most significant living artists, members of the post-1980s generation who experienced a rapidly urbanizing China. The same age as many of the artists, Dodelande feels as if the artists speak the same language he does, a relationship strengthened by his travels to meet the artists in person. “I know them all,” he says. “To be in their studios, observe their body language, and feel their internal force – that helps me make sense of the art.” He feels an especially intense connection to pieces with hidden elements of humor, poetry, and humanity. Dodelande uses his collection to attract well-deserved recognition for the young generation of Chinese artists, from staging events to lending artworks to museums. Dodelande was the first to arrange a contemporary Chinese art exhibit in Georgia. He is convinced that the universality of art is one means to forge a new Silk Road, a meaningful web of commercial and cultural connections between East and West.

Craftsmanship

Assouline’s Ultimate Collection is an homage to the art of luxury bookmaking. Hand-bound using traditional techniques, with color plates hand-tipped on art-quality paper, each page of this limited-edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. Treating a range of topics from jewelry and fashion, fine art and the ‘Impossible Collections,’ the Ultimate Collection curates culture from around the world and across the ages. Nestled in linen clamshell presentation cases, these books attract collectors, lovers of the printed page, and those who devour the culture of our time. Signaling a new level of sophistication for true connoisseurs, these unique books are works of art in their own right.

Press

These Powerful Works Reveal the Evolution of Chinese Art; By: Adeline Chia, 1stDibs (US), August 2021

Adrian Cheng and John Dodelande's New Book, "Chinese Art: The Impossible Collection", Launches In May 2021; By: Jianne Soriano, Tatler Online (Hong Kong), March 2021

Chinese Art: The Impossible Collection

SHIPPING TIMELINE

All in-stock orders at Sip Hip Hooray are typically processed and dispatched within 1-3 business days. We don't operate on Saturdays, Sundays, or U.S. holidays. For personalized items, anticipate around 2-3 weeks for delivery after you've approved the artwork.

Do bear in mind that holidays, product launches, and sales events might extend order processing times.

---

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING POLICY

We are unable to pre-calculate all international shipping rates at checkout. Once your order is placed, our team will review your order, including the product specifications, box size, and weight. There may be additional shipping charges applied after your order has been processed. If any additional costs arise, we will reach out to you for confirmation before proceeding with shipment.

---

INTERNATIONAL DUTIES, TAXES, AND TARIFFS POLICY

Due to the ever-changing global trade climate and varying regulations by country, Sip Hip Hooray is unable to estimate or include duties, taxes, tariffs, or other import fees at the time of purchase.

All international orders may be subject to additional charges imposed by the destination country’s customs authorities. These charges—including but not limited to duties, VAT, tariffs, and brokerage fees—are the sole responsibility of the purchaser/recipient.

By placing an international order with Sip Hip Hooray, you acknowledge and accept that any such additional costs will be paid by the recipient and are not included in the shipping charges or product pricing.

We recommend checking with your local customs office for more information on potential fees before placing your order.

---

SHIPPING DELAYS & REFUNDS

We strive to deliver your order promptly. If, however, your non-personalized order does face a delay from our end and arrives late (excluding shipping courier-related delays like weather or equipment failure), you're eligible for a refund once you return the items. We'll provide a call tag for the product return. Upon receiving the returned items, your refund will be processed.

---

SHIPPING COURIERS

We use a range of couriers to ensure your order reaches you efficiently. If you have restrictions on receiving from a particular courier, inform us by emailing orders@siphiphooray.com with your order number.

---

SHIPPING PROMOS

Shipping promotions are only applicable to the contiguous United States and cover ground shipping. For rush shipping please inquire with us at orders@siphiphooray.com

---

SHH EXCLUSIVE DESIGNED PRODUCTS
(Product lines like Christmas sweatshirts, Gildan sweatshirts, fun mugs)

These are exclusively crafted and undergo a 10-business day production cycle. Since they're tailored just for you, we can't cancel them once they're in production.

---

RETURNS

Due to the custom nature of our products, all sales are final.

---

REFUND TIMELINE POLICY

If a refund is approved, please note it typically takes 3–10 business days for the funds to appear in your account. This timeline depends on multiple factors including your bank’s processing speed, credit card provider, and the payment method used at checkout. Unfortunately, we are unable to expedite this process once a refund has been issued.

Refunds processed through Shopify Payments usually initiate within 2 business days, but your bank may still require additional time to post the funds.

We understand the wait can be frustrating, but rest assured—once we process the refund on our end, it’s in the hands of your bank or card provider to complete the transaction.

---

CUSTOM SKETCH ARTWORK POLICY

For custom sketches, we accommodate 2 rounds of alterations, provided they don't necessitate a complete redo. Should you have specific changes in mind, do relay them so our artist can incorporate them. However, since these sketches are meticulously hand-drawn and delivered to you, the associated fees are non-refundable.

---

CONTACT US

Got questions? We're here for you.
Email: orders@siphiphooray.com
Phone: 713.247.9856

---