AN INTERVIEW WITH AUCTIONEER YÜ-GE WANG
Yü-Ge Wang is one of the fresh, young voices at Christie's, bringing charm and expertise to a traditional role with modern ease. Her journey to becoming an auctioneer wasn’t straightforward, but that’s where the strength of her story lies. In this conversation, she takes us through her personal journey – from her beginnings to those special moments on the rostrum.
AVIAIR: Yü-Ge, how does one come up with the idea of becoming an auctioneer? Is it a childhood dream that you pursue, or does this career aspiration develop over time?
YÜ-GE WANG: (laughs) To be honest, as a child, I had no idea what an auctioneer does. It wasn’t like I said as a little girl: "One day, I’ll stand in front of a room full of people and auction off artworks." In fact, I stumbled into this profession by chance. When I was studying in London, I once had the opportunity to visit Christie's. It was a special moment when we were allowed to step onto the podium and auction a few lots (items for sale, ed. note) just for fun. A photo of me in that pose still reminds me of that day – but at the time, I didn’t think it could be my future career.
That sounds like an unusual path. How did you end up becoming an auctioneer?
After my studies, I started working at Christie's, but in a different role. Once a year, Christie's offers the opportunity to apply for the "Auctioneering for Non-Auctioneers" program, where employees who aren’t auctioneers can learn the craft. That was the first time I seriously considered this path. I decided to give it a try, and the feedback was positive. From that moment on, I couldn’t let go of the idea.
What fascinates you about it?
I love the combination of numbers, history, and the small stage that you step onto as an auctioneer. It’s a unique feeling to lead an auction, where the goal is to convey the value of an object while also sensing the room and engaging the audience. There are so many facets to consider – from calculations to the history of the objects to interacting with the bidders. It’s this mix that excites me.
What are the biggest challenges when you’re up there on that "small stage"?
The biggest challenge is that you’re live. Anything can happen. You have to be ready at all times to respond to spontaneous situations – whether the microphone fails or a technical problem occurs. Sometimes it’s the bidders themselves who provide surprises. Once in Hong Kong, all the phone lines suddenly went down, and I stood on the podium for 15 minutes while the staff in the room frantically tried to fix the issue. In those moments, it’s important to stay calm and keep the audience entertained.
How do you prepare for an auction, especially when it comes to objects like artworks or watches?
Preparation is everything. I sit down with the specialists from each department and discuss which details about the individual objects are particularly important. I carefully go through the lots in advance, practice the pronunciation of difficult names, and make sure I know the story behind each piece. Sometimes I even use phonetics in my auction book to ensure I don’t mispronounce anything. It’s about finding the right balance: not too much information at once, but also not too little, so that the audience stays interested and the value of the object becomes clear.
Different Christie's locations – does that mean different buyer mentalities as well?
Every audience is different, and you can feel it immediately. In London, the atmosphere is more traditional; in New York, the room is huge and very modern, while in Hong Kong, the auctions often take place in large, lightfilled exhibition halls. The bidders also react differently. In Asia, for example, bidding is often slower not only due to translation but also cultural aspects, whereas in Geneva, during watch auctions, everything is very focused. As an auctioneer, it’s important to adjust to this and "feel" the room.
Of the auctions you’ve conducted so far, is there a particular highlight that you fondly remember?
One of the most unusual and beautiful auctions was the Vivienne Westwood collection auction in London. The audience was completely different from other auctions – they applauded after each lot, and the bidders cheered each other on and congratulated one another. It was almost like a community that had gathered there. The atmosphere was simply fantastic, and it was a joy to lead that auction.
That really does sound special. Thank you for this interview and for giving us insight into a world that was truly new to us.
5 QUICK QUESTIONS
Skirt or pants?
Pants.
Michelangelo or Picasso?
Impossible to answer.
Sushi or pork knuckle?
Pork knuckle.
Film or series?
Film.
London or Munich?
London for the mind and Munich for the heart.
