Hello - I'm the founder and director of LiKailin.

The name Li KaiLin was given to me by my Chinese friends during the period I spent living and working in Shanghai : it translates to mean “successful and beautiful lady”…

I fell in love with Shanghai, with China, with the wonderful people there - and with all things Chinese. Whilst there I began to collect contemporary Chinese fine art and, gradually at first, my passion overtook my business career.

I founded LiKailin so that I can focus on bringing works of Chinese contemporary fine art to collectors in the West - providing a platform for Chinese artists outside of their homeland, often for the first time. I curated the first ever solo exhibition outside China for the famous photographic artist, Tian Taiquan, in 2008 in Birmingham and will stage a major exhibition for Yang Yongliang in the autumn of 2009 in London.

I make regular return vists to Asia, have close association with artists and headline galleries across the Asia-Pacific, and try to ensure my finger stays right on the pulse of what's new and exciting in this dynamic field.

I have now expanded LiKailin to offer works from other parts of Asia and indeed worldwide, confounding the critics who say that a successful UK-based international art business has to be located and run from the country’s capital city, London.

I recently opened the doors to LiKailin's first gallery, based in the North West of England. Now arguably THE destination gallery not only for collectors based in the region but also for Londoners and other Europeans, LiKailin offers a visual treat of stunning, challenging and simply beautiful paintings, sculptures and photographic art.