China Chow's introduction to art began when she was a child. Her parents, restaurateur architect and art connoisseur Michael Chow and mother, style icon and jewelry designer Tina Chow, moved the family from London to New York when China was five years old. As her father's restaurant, Mr. Chow, became a mecca to the art world that ruled Manhattan, she connected with some of the most prominent artists of the time: Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel, Francesco Clemente, and Robert Rauschenberg.
China has fond memories of learning to draw with family friend, renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Having spent most of her childhood at museums and galleries with her parents, it was inevitable that she would become an avid art enthusiast. "Art is the most authentic way for a person to express themselves," China believes. "Clothing has to be functional, food has to taste good -- but art is the purest form of expression, existing without set boundaries."
A graduate of Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, China is fluent in French. After earning a psychology degree from Scripps College, China spent several years successfully modeling for Shiseido, Barney's, Tommy Hilfiger, GAP, DKNY, and Lane Crawford. She has been photographed by some of the world's leading photographers including Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Testino, David Bailey, Inez & Vinoodh, Arthur Elgort, Mario Sorrenti, and Terry Richardson among others.
China has been featured in numerous international publications; some of which include The New York Times, Vanity Fair, W, Time, Newsweek, Vogue, British Vogue, Paris Vogue, Vogue Japan, Vogue China, Harper's Bazaar, V Magazine, Purple Fashion, Paper, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Elle. She has been included in the prestigious "Best Dressed Lists" for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. China's acting credits include The Big Hit opposite Mark Walhberg, Head Over Heels directed by Mark Waters and Spun directed by Jonas Åkerlund. She has also appeared on numerous talk shows, including segments for The Today Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC.
As the host and judge of Bravo's art competition series, Work of Art: The Next Great Artist, China serves as the perfect guide through the complex and fascinating art world. Her irrepressible passion for art and tremendous appreciation for beauty is contagious as she works to access the talents of aspiring artist throughout the course of the series.
China currently resides in New York and Los Angeles and is a routine fixture of international art fairs, biennials and auctions. As subject, muse, and connector, China is involved in many art and fashion projects; recent collaborations include works with Karl Lagerfeld, Jason Wu, Will Cotton, Richard Phillips, Kaws, Glenn Kaino, and Carine Roitfeld. China is a passionate advocate and volunteer for several non-profit organizations including Inner-City Arts, Chrysalis, and The Art of Elysium.
