Open House

In 2003, as the Sars epidemic plunged Hong Kong into a deep depression, William and Lavina Lim found respite in contemporary art. Back then, the Lims were occasional collectors of Chinese antiques, but they became fascinated with young artists’ responses to the times. Over the next few years, they bought hundreds of paintings, sculptures and installations.

Now, as another virus has turned the world upside down, the Lims are giving much of that art away. “We always felt that these works should belong to a museum and that they should be seen by the public,” says William, who is the founder of CL3 Architects and also an artist. Lavina is an interior designer who gravitated towards corporate projects and has extensive experience in the finance sector. “Now felt like the right time.”

The Lims are donating 90 pieces from their holdings, which they call the Living Collection, to M+, the contemporary art and design museum scheduled to open