LI KUCHAN (1899-1983)

Ma Yuqi was a collector and Peking Opera performer. Born in 1939, Ma originated from Beijing and entered the Chinese Opera School in 1951. In 1962 he apprenticed under noted Opera performer Ye Shenglan, and later immigrated to Hong Kong in 1979. Influenced by his family, in particular his uncle who collected in Tianjin, he was an avid collector of art -during his time as a student, his teacher often showed them paintings to cultivate their aesthetics. Ma began collecting Chinese paintings and calligraphy when he was in Hong Kong.