Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer S. Li.
Hi Jennifer S., we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
During a prerequisite Art History 101 class at UC Berkeley, I had that proverbial lightbulb moment realizing that this was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I clearly remember the slide lecture stopping on an image of the 2nd century BCE funeral robes of Lady Dai at the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tombs, and marveling at how, through material culture, we are able to understand so much about the daily lives and even the psychology of people from over 2,000 years ago and beyond.
Since then, I have built a career of over two decades working in museums, galleries, art publications and art advisories. I still write regularly for arts publications such as ArtAsiaPacific (for whom I’ve been the LA Desk editor for 15 years), Frieze, Sight Unseen and more, but I also recently branched out on my own to build my own art advisory. It’s been a fun adventure to travel to art fairs with clients as well as go to gallery shows and museums right here in LA to help match up clients to artworks that speak to their heart and soul, as well as fit within their home and investment portfolios. .
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I alluded to, with my experience in museums, galleries, advisories, publications and more, I’ve had many changes of heart in terms of the type of work I wanted to do within the art world. There were also starts and stops for each of the two children that I had, now 8 and 3 years old. My work has spanned the fields of education, non-profits, for-profits, large bureaucratic organizations and international organizations as well as small family businesses. The benefit of this wide-ranging experience is that I have a global point of view when it comes to concepts in the art world, from the triangulated vantage point of education, art criticism, and the art market.
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I always took comfort in my unflinching belief in the importance of art and the role it plays in history and society. Artworks turn intangible ideas into a physical form that others can congregate over or communicate through. Just as one might research a concept or hypothesis for years to write a book or a thesis, an artist does similar work ruminating and chasing down ideas and thoughts—they just express it differently, whether it be in a painting, a performance, an installation or other forms.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an independent art advisor, I use my vast knowledge of art and art history to connect clients with artworks. Just as one might enlist the help of a real estate agent, financial advisor, interior designer, or other expert in their lives to help make sound decisions, I help my clients find the artworks that speak deeply to them, that they will enjoy having in their home, and that will hold or appreciate in value over time.
I have experience in all segments of the art world—from auctions to galleries, blue chip to emerging—but I do have a soft spot for emerging artists and gallery spaces. The accessibility of emerging artists in terms of price point is of course very appealing, and it’s exciting to see an artist develop and grow over time and perhaps even contribute to their development when I write a piece of art criticism or a profile, do a studio visit, or help with an artwork acquisition. It reminds me of Moby’s Op-Ed in the Guardian over a decade ago, where he details moving from New York to Los Angeles because he felt it he could still contribute to the culture of the city, whereas in cities like Paris and New York, they’re already fully cooked. Like the growing, evolving city of Los Angeles, I can still contribute in a meaningful way to an emerging artist’s career through my roles in art criticism and press or an artwork placement as an advisor.
That accessibility is something I offer as well in terms of my personality and my business—I’m friendly and approachable, and I prefer a vintage find over a name brand. I know the art world can be intimidating, but having worked in museum education and touring around little kids, I truly understand what it means to make something highfalutin and intimidating accessible to everyone.
What are your plans for the future?
I just started on my own, so I’m looking forward to meeting new people and hopefully, of course, new clients! I have a list of artists that I admire that I’m manifesting placing into the right collector’s homes in the future. I’ve also been meeting with architecture firms and interior design firms to discuss incorporating artistic elements into the design and build of a home, in addition to traditional artwork placements on walls.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennifersli.me/
- Instagram: @jenlime
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifersli/
