Guo Qingxiang has come a long way from building ships in coastal Dalian. These days he is building an art collection to be envied, much of it the works of legendary painter Wu Guanzhong.

There was a time when Guo Qingxiang was just an ordinary worker in a ship-manufacturing plant. It seems a far cry from his standing these days as one of China's best-known art collectors and dealers.

Guo managed to put those ship-building days behind him as he ventured into the costume and furniture business which ultimately led to his interest in art. And artists like Wu Guanzhong.

Wu is regarded as one of China's most famous contemporary painters, and Guo is set to exhibit several of his work at next month's Shanghai Art Fair.

Wu Guanzhong

"These paintings are 'the best of the best' among Wu's artworks that have seldom been exposed to the public," says Guo. "The Shanghai Art Fair organizing committee has approached me several times in the hope that I might bring them here this year. I agreed, but of course, they are not for sale at the fair."

Wu is something of a living legend in China's art scene, a painter who combined principles of Western painting with the spirit and tonal variations of ink painting that are typically Chinese.

The 89-year-old is known as the man who transformed modern Chinese art with his "notoriety" coming not just from the high prices his paintings fetch, but also from his controversial comments about Chinese art.

Born in 1962 in Dalian, a coastal city in northeastern Liaoning Province, Guo says it was an encounter with some antique experts in Beijing when he was running his costume and furniture business that initiated his switch to art collecting and dealing.

And once he did, master Wu became his first "target."

"I read many books either written by Wu or that other people wrote about him," he says. "In my eyes, Wu is not only a great artist, but also a great thinker. If a collector doesn't have the admiration or passion for an artist, he or she can't be a real collector. Only one or two paintings are not enough to prove anything."

Today Guo owns some 70 of Wu's paintings, and some museums borrow from his collection for Wu's solo exhibitions.

In 1995, Guo auctioned his first collection of Wu's work. Four years later, he was introduced by friends to the artist who happened to visit Dalian. Wu was amazed that this almost unknown (at the time) collector interpreted his work so well.

"I showed him some of my collection. To my surprise, Wu clearly remembered each of his paintings, not only for what or how he painted it, but also where he painted it," Guo recalls. "It was just incredible. At least, it revealed how the master treasured his work."

As a collector, Guo is only keen on traditional ink-wash paintings.

"Oil painting which originated in the West only has about 100 years of history in China," he explains. "Frankly speaking, there is a certain gap for Chinese artists in understanding the spirit of this art genre. While realistic style has become a cliche in the West, here in China it still dominates the mainstream. I think oil painting in China lacks originality."

However, at the same time, Guo also has some concerns about traditional Chinese ink-wash painters.

"Some artists repeat their art for years. I think what they do is simply 'printing'," Guo says. "In my eyes, their art is dead. A real artist should have improvement or a breakthrough to distinguish himself from the others."

Today Guo is using his experience to judge who are the "real" artists.

"I admit that financial ability is critical for a collector, but it doesn't count for everything," says Guo. "Patience, experience and a continuing to learn are equally important.

"Of course, I need to sell some of my collection in order to purchase better artworks," he confesses. "It was only in 2000 that I realized that collecting can also be a good investment.

"Based on my experience, investment in art is much safer than stocks. But the prerequisite is that you have to make the right judgment at the right time.

"Certainly I made many mistakes at the start but that's the cost for a beginner," he says. "But I am a confident man, I don't give up easily."

Asked to nominate his biggest collecting achievement, Guo beams.

"Every time I have an exhibition to share my collection with the public, I feel quite satisfied," he says. "The process of collecting art is the process of 'collecting culture and friends.' It widens my vision toward life and changes my life."