Jack Ma knows a thing or two about success when it comes to ecommerce. But it turns out he knows a thing or two about the art world, too. Last year, Ma sold a painting from the prior year that auctioned for US$5.4 million. Now, the annual Hurun Art List is out, and it’s confirmed: Jack Ma’s painting was the fourth-most-expensive piece sold by a Chinese artist in 2015.
To be fair, he did have a bit of help. The painting was a collaboration between Ma and artist Zeng Fanzhi, who is no stranger to the Hurun Art List, and who had two other pieces among the top ten most expensive works sold last year.
It’s not entirely clear how much of the painting Ma actually did, but the painting wasn’t meant to generate wealth for the ecommerce tycoon or his successful artist partner anyway. Proceeds from the auction were donated to the Paradise International Foundation, an environmental protection NGO. The painting itself was also meant to draw attention to environmental issues:
Yes, with that painting, Jack Ma has sealed his spot in the history books as one of modern China’s more successful artists. What can’t this man do? What’s he going to think of next? Personally, I’m hoping for a Jack Ma rap album.
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