Man in the mirror

Olivier Picasso, grandson of Pablo Picasso, brings along an exhibition of photos that show Pablo Picasso's intimate time at his studio in France, as well as the working styles of some other great 20th-century artists. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Oliver Picasso, his sister and art historian Diana, and their mother, who devoted her life into authenticating Picasso's works, are together planning to set up a foundation to support artistic education. Another member of the Picasso family has founded an organization dedicated to children's medical support.

In March, the "O" version of Picasso's Woman of Algiers was sold at a Christie's auction in New York for a record $179 million.

Olivier Picasso says his mother told him that Pablo Picasso had shown her every version of that painting in 1955. This came in handy while testifying for its authenticity. Also, he learned from his sister that on auction night, there were Chinese bidders as well.

He and his sister are deeply impressed by Chinese collectors' passion for the works, Oliver Picasso says.

"My sister sees them in Hong Kong, London, Paris and New York. Just three years ago, they were crazy about Picasso, (their attitude is) like sell me, sell me. Now, they are specialists. They know what they want," says Oliver Picasso.

Many of China's richest people have been buying Pablo Picasso's art in the recent years. Wang Jianlin of the real estate empire Wanda Group and Chinese movie mogul Wang Zhongjun are among two prominent names to have spent tens of millions of dollars on them.

Olivier Picasso says he was surprised that in such a short time Chinese collectors have transformed from being just rich buyers to an informed clientele that know why they want the art.

Staying in Beijing for several days, Picasso was impressed by how things changed, different from what he had seen in photos of the 1960s.

If you go

Round-the-clock through Sept 20. Wanda Sofitel Hotel, 93 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-8599-6666.