The ‘Godfather’ art patron

GAO PING, alleged head of the Chinese crime network recently dismantled in Madrid, received €440,280 from Valencia’s IVAM for 61 photographs .

Valencia’s Institute of Modern Art collaborated with known art-lover Gao Ping on acquiring works for two exhibitions in Valencia and Peking. His dream was to emulate US art patrons, the Guggenheim family, Gao Ping told a Spanish interviewer in 2008. “China’s time has come and it is now the perfect place for making dreams come true,” he said.