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Hello forum,

I'm a college student with a particular fascination with much of the Orient. I've been studying Chinese history the past three years, some Thai history as well, along with more niche things like Singapore. I've developed a taste for Chinese art, but I am woefully ignorant on the subject and I have a personal habit of crusading for knowledge on purchasing things I am ignorant about. If anyone could tell me about their journey towards becoming a collector or expert, and tell me what helped them gain footing, I'd be immensely thankful.

Hi Ray - nice to hear from someone awakening an appreciation for Asian Art. Like anything, it is helpful to pick a particular area to study or collect. Asian art is such a wide field, if you don't focus your attention on something specific, it can be overwhelming. For me, I began studying Tibetan Buddhist practices and learned about the different images and their meanings. They all were confusing at first, but gradually became like familiar friends. Now if I see Tibetan thangkas or other art, If I don't know exactly what the image is, it usually doesn't take me too long to figure it out. It is something you have a passion for and keep going down the rabbit hole learning a little more everyday.
If you don't have the funds to invest in art, spend time at museums. Examine collections to get a feel for the great works and what sets them apart. When you get to touch, feel and examine items, you are much more connected to them and have a tactile physical learning, not just intellectual.
I am fortunate to work at an auction house where all sorts of things come through the door. I get to research and learn about all sorts of items without having to invest a bunch into them.
The great people at this site are so helpful when you have a specific art question and can guide you where to learn more about it in depth. May you be on the first steps of an incredible adventure!

Regards,
Nels

Thanks Nels. It is indeed awfully overwhelming, particularly to a philistine such as myself that prior has never really much cared for art in general. Trying to figure out where to start has been quite daunting, started by watching this forum for a few weeks just to see what goes on. I've found myself going into estate sales recently, buying things for a bargain, and subsequently looking up what on Earth it was that I just paid $3 for. Picked up a nice bronze vase in such a manner, though identifying what it is has proven quite elusive. All I've been able to discern is that it is in the Ming style and that it must've been bought by the person who owned the house at an antique shop somewhere down the line. I hope to learn more about it as I grow more familiar with the field, but I've been enjoying these self-appointed research tasks that it isn't much of a chore.

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