Looking back on your path from Princeton to Cambridge and into academia, were there any pivotal moments that shaped the way you think about the art market today?

Definitely. I moved to Beijing shortly after graduating from university—with little knowledge of the city, the language, or the Chinese art scene. It was eye-opening in virtually every way.

The art market was developing at a remarkable pace: Chinese contemporary art was breaking records at auction, Poly Auction—now China’s largest auction house—had just been founded, new museums were opening across the country.

Being there at that moment sparked an interest that I have yet to shake—in how art markets emerge and evolve, and how they can shape both the production of art and the way it is received.

You’ve written extensively on the art market as a system, what do you think people still misunderstand about how it really works?

Today’s art market is often treated as synonymous with the market for contemporary art. Yet Impressionist and Modern works dominated the booming art market of the 1980s, and before that other categories—such as Old Master painting—commanded the greatest attention and highest prices. It is easy to forget how quickly tastes can shift, or that relatively few living artists will withstand the test of time.

You’ve taught at Sotheby’s Institute before. What makes the Institute distinct?

Most institutions offer a wide range of academic programs across different disciplines, which can mean that programs become siloed, or that students don’t always have much in common.

At Sotheby’s Institute, our students and faculty tend to share a common language and similar interests. While all of our programs are distinct, they overlap in meaningful ways, creating a close-knit and synergistic academic environment.

The Institute has a strong focus on real-world engagement. How does that translate into meaningful opportunities for students?

We aim to combine academic rigor—encouraging students to think more deeply and critically—with professional insight—challenging them to apply their learning to real-world contexts.

To support this approach, we offer a number of opportunities for students to engage directly with industry and gain hands-on experience, from guest speakers and immersive Field Study travel to our Enterprise Studio, Work Placement program, and Sotheby’s Fellowship. Professional practice enriches academic study, in our view, and vice versa.

This is a defining feature of the Sotheby’s Institute experience.

What stands out to you about how students are approaching their careers in today’s art and luxury markets?

Many of our students pursue career paths similar to Sotheby’s Institute graduates of the past, finding roles at major auction houses or galleries. But there are now many more avenues to success in the art world, including art advisory, insurance, shipping and logistics, studio management, and artist representation.

There is also growing overlap with adjacent industries like luxury, design, and fashion, along with new entrepreneurial opportunities. All three of these trends are reflected in our student outcomes.

This is a period of significant growth for Sotheby’s Institute, including the expansion of programs online. How do you see these developments shaping the Institute’s future and its role within the broader creative industries?

Our online degrees have made our programs more accessible. Many online students are unable to relocate to New York or London, can’t step away from full-time work, or require greater flexibility for personal reasons.

Many are already professionally accomplished and bring that experience to bear on their studies. It’s been enormously gratifying to see how our online programs have expanded our community in new directions, both geographically and demographically.

What role do you believe Sotheby’s Institute of Art plays within today’s academic and professional landscape?

Sotheby’s Institute has long bridged the academic and the professional spheres, with a foot solidly planted in both. I would say that our professional emphasis is more relevant than ever as students seek clear career pathways. At the same time, students increasingly recognize the importance of critical thinking and specialized research skills, particularly with the rise of AI.

For prospective students, what mindset should they bring to get the most out of their degrees?

There is a wealth of opportunity at Sotheby’s Institute—whether that means developing new expertise, forging connections with leaders in the field, or turning entrepreneurial ambitions into reality.

The students who reap the greatest rewards are those who engage with the experience most fully: who ask questions, follow up, and seize opportunities with gusto. It’s a cliché, but as with anything, you get what you put in.