The Hefner Collection represents MeiLi and Robert’s passion for contemporary Chinese art and their commitment to sharing their knowledge of this art and culture with others. It began in 1984 when Robert first visited China as a guest of the ministry of petroleum to help assess China’s natural gas resources. While in the gas fields of Sichuan province, he saw that Deng Xiaoping’s reforms were unstoppable and believing that great waves of artistic creativity are coincidental with periods of rapid and monumental human change, his love of art superseded business, and he began to acquire the best examples of post-cultural revolution oil painting. Today, the Collection is recognized as one of the most important collection in the world expressing the post-cultural revolution artistic explosion.
Art
Robert Hefner III is the co-founder and President of the Bradshaw Foundation, a non-profit organization which provides an online learning resource, principally for archaeology, anthropology, and genetic research. Its primary objective is to discover, document and preserve ancient rock art around the world and to promote the study of early humankind’s artistic achievements. The Bradshaw Foundation funds preservation projects around the world, scientific research and research publication often in collaboration with UNESCO. Through our Rock Art Network in partnership with the Getty Conservation Institute, we bring together rock art experts from around the world.
“In 2005, Robert and I had the privilege of entering into Chauvet cave in France, guided by the eminent French archaeologist Jean Clottes and accompanied by Damon De Laszlo, Chairman of the Bradshaw Foundation, and Jill Cook of the British Museum. Walking beside Robert in the initial chamber of the cave Robert whispered to me, “We are about to experience the birth of art!” The Bradshaw Foundation’s mission is to share moments such as this, in order to convey the importance of this global and mutual cultural heritage.” – Peter Robinson, Editor
Robert with Mark Sands
