Dr. Ye Guo-Shin, the first Chinese PhD in calligraphy and painting appraisal, has dedicated over 20 years to art authentication research. He began learning calligraphy at the age of 8 and held his first solo exhibition at 12. During his student years, he demonstrated exceptional mastery and talent in both calligraphy and painting techniques, setting a precedent by creating the first department exhibition and graduation show at the National Taiwan Normal University’s Fine Arts Department, where he ranked top in both Chinese painting and calligraphy. Why did Dr. Ye Guo-Shin transition from an emerging artist with limitless potential to a career in art authentication? Let’s take a look at his story.

From Artist to Appraiser

Dr. Ye Guo-Shin recalls, “During university, a senior in my family introduced me to an antique dealer and art collector. During the summer and winter breaks, I stayed at his house. It was a place where only serious people came, and the guests were all from the same circle. The collection was very unique.” Dr. Ye says that some collectors allowed him to replicate their genuine ink treasures, while others generously shared their treasured artworks with him to appreciate. Through this, he not only mastered the essence of various masters’ techniques but also began to understand the methods antique dealers used to authenticate artworks. After four years of university, Dr. Ye had developed a strong interest and foundation in art authentication.

After graduate school, Dr. Ye decided to continue his studies in the UK, pursuing a PhD in Visual Arts Authentication/Philosophy of Creation and spent 10 years there. He fondly recalls the time abroad: “You could describe it as working as cheap labor,” he laughs. His supervisor introduced him to a famous collector known for being very strict, and Ye began his internship. “I did everything—running errands, organizing, doing research, but the pay was extremely low.” One day, the collector took Ye to an auction market and realized Ye had potential, thus began to give him more important tasks. “He started asking me to identify the authenticity of artworks, and gradually, I was entrusted with planning art investments for him. The amounts grew from small to large, with some artworks making profits of up to 100 times their value, which was very impressive.” As more collectors came seeking his professional help, these special experiences laid a solid foundation for his future career as an appraiser.

The Virtuous Cycle of Authentic Art

An appraiser’s three main duties are to “distinguish authenticity, judge quality, and determine value.” Ye emphasizes that artworks must be “genuine.” A true piece embodies the artist’s original creative essence, making it pleasing to the eye as a display, cultivating the collector’s sense of aesthetics, and carrying educational significance. Truly great artworks continue to appreciate in value, and if one needs cash, an authentic artwork can be circulated back into the market, allowing the collector to earn the necessary return while continuing to enjoy their collection. “It’s a virtuous cycle of truth, goodness, and beauty!” However, forgeries are the opposite—they can ruin people’s lives and, when circulated, perpetuate deception, which is highly unethical.

In his career as an appraiser, Ye has had many legendary experiences, and these stories come from his insistence on authenticity and “truth.” He was once entrusted with appraising a batch of rare master-level works. Other experts were hesitant to make a definitive judgment, with some even suspecting them to be forgeries, but Ye identified them as extremely rare and valuable pieces. Trusting him, the client purchased the works and sent them to one of the world’s most renowned auction houses, Sotheby’s. The experts at Sotheby’s confirmed them as exceptional pieces, even opening a dedicated auction session for them. The paintings later appeared on the cover of the annual Sotheby’s International Auction and achieved excellent results.