Inside Snow Li’s Eclectic Abu Dhabi Penthouse
The art enthusiast showcases a meticulously curated collection, spotlighting regional creatives. She welcomes Harper’s Bazaar Arabia into her abode here…
I got stuck here as the borders shut due to Covid,” Snow Feinan Li laughs when recounting how she came to call the U.A.E. home from her spectacular penthouse apartment in the country’s capital. “The hotel I was in also shut down due to the pandemic, so I rented a place at the Vida Residences in Downtown Dubai and the walls were so bare,” the global traveller tells us. She adds, “I got bored and started buying art and design pieces. I began exploring the local art scene and immersing myself in the culture and everything that surrounds me.” And that was how one of the most impressive collections in the region was born – in under three years the Chinese native has amassed over 200 pieces.
The investor and manufacturing titan – she’s now established the region’s largest valve-making facility in Abu Dhabi – had originally arrived as a tourist, part of the mayor of Shanghai’s official delegation, and had visited just two key sites, EXPO 2020 and Louvre Abu Dhabi before finding herself grounded. But instead of despairing, she threw herself into establishing herself, embedding herself in the country’s social scene as a noted art expert, and creating a strong network of friends who are always popping into her ground floor space in the nation’s capital – that spans over 500 square metres – to sit around the Lazy Susan, enjoying sumptuous feasts.
Written In The Stars
It may seem impulsive to buy a multi-million dollar apartment in a country that you’ve inadvertently started calling home. Still, when Snow’s astrologer suggested she set up roots in Abu Dhabi – and gave her a specific day to make her property purchase, she moved swiftly – even though she needed to complete viewings and confirm her transaction within 24 hours to fulfil the deadline.
Using all her powers of persuasion, Snow managed to find the perfect place – in the newly launched ONE by SAAS on Reem Island – even though the particular unit she was after wasn’t originally for purchase. “The six-metre high ceilings, and the fact that it offers breathtaking views of the mangroves from all three bedrooms,” she replies when asked what first attracted her to the apartment she now resides in. Another key draw? The spacious living and dining area, plus the wraparound balcony which extends across all living spaces and past the bedrooms.
When asked if she had any misgivings when taking such a huge leap of faith, Snow quickly replies, “I am not afraid of change because it is leading me to a new beginning.”
A Personal Stamp
From the moment you walk in, there’s an instant wow factor, that’s further compounded when you realise what a treasure trove of art and design pieces decorate the already impressive abode. It is immediately clear that the art collection is the focal point of this space, with everything else placed around it, giving it prominence. “I personally handled all aspects of interior design because I believe that everyone has the ability to be the creator of their own home. After all, home is where the heart lives,” Snow tells us proudly. She loves embarking on a dialogue with artists, “As an advocate for art, my foremost mission is to amplify the voices of these creators. In stark contrast to the world of interior design, artists are the architects of imagination, forging uncharted realms within the spaces they craft. Guided by their wisdom, I’ve come to view a home as a living sculpture, perpetually evolving in its form.”
And even though the entrepreneur, who is always looking to invest in the next pre-IPO unicorn may be new to the Middle Eastern art scene, her family had always had discerning taste – and priceless pieces. “Growing up in a family that cherished Chinese antiques, porcelain, and modern Chinese art, I developed an appreciation for the beauty found in artistic pieces,” she explains. “The defining moment of my collecting journey occurred during the inaugural International Biennial of Chinese Contemporary Art in 2005 in Montpellier [France], where I acquired my first artwork by Chinese artist Zhou Chunya.” She continues on that path today, and in this country is an active patron of both the Louvre Abu Dhabi and The Dubai Collection. “My underlying philosophy is that art, life, and business should be free from unnecessary borders and restrictions in order to stimulate and encourage innovation.”
The Surreal Fabric Of Snow’s Imagination
Each piece that’s displayed in Snow’s house is significant, and like a page in a diary, serves as a reminder of a specific time. And together, the work serves as a “tapestry of my life in Abu Dhabi.” Challenges were swiftly overcome too; “Transforming a high-ceiling space into a cosy living area required some thought and creativity,” she agrees, insisting of the maximalist outcome that, “These challenges were ultimately a joy to overcome.”
Having such a serene setting is very different from her Shanghai property, an 800 square metre penthouse in the pulsating heart of the city. “Each home has its own unique spirit and character, reflecting both the culture and people that inspire me,” she reveals. “When creating my current Abu Dhabi home, I wanted to incorporate elements of the country that I admire, as well as my own Chinese culture.”
An illustration of her heritage is an open tea ceremony area, which she admits is “My favourite room, influenced by my father who is a tea collector. I hold great respect for my Chinese culture and lifestyle. This space allows me to share that traditional side of me with friends.”
A key element of her aesthetic is the ability to juxtapose unusual objects and textures, and this comes out in her personal style too. “I appreciate a mix of international designers of different styles. I admire designers such as Balenciaga, Schiaparelli, Saint Laurent, as well as many talented young designers,” she says as she shows us her show stopping Birkin-bedecked wall.
All In The Details
It is clear from the outset that Snow follows her own rules when it comes to acquisitions. Highlights include “artwork from the UAE-based artist trio, Ramin and Rokni Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian. They are my favourite artists of our time. The trio are winners of the prestigious Black Mountain College award – and many museums have hosted their exhibitions and acquired their work. They open a window to another world, taking us on a journey away from the ordinary, away from everyday life.”
Her Abu Dhabi home boasts a diverse range of renowned artists, including big names like Louise Bourgeois, Annette Messager, Frank West, Anish Kapoor, Ben Vautier, Otobong Nkanga, Oroma Elewa, Shadi Habib Allah, and Beate Kuhn among others. “I am also a proud collector of local Emirati Artists Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Ahamed Ibrahim, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Rawdha Al Ketbi, Ayesha Hadhir, and Abdulla Lutfi,” she exclaims while showing Bazaar around her property.
Not limiting herself to just canvas, sculpture and installation, her furnishings are peppered with design stalwarts too. Items by Ettore Sottsass, Pierre Jeanneret, Gaetano Pesce, Brecht Wright Gander, India Mahdavi, Pia Maria Raeder, Souraya Haddad, Marilyn Massoud, Zein Daouk, Mary-Lynn & Carlo, Nadine Roufael, and Victoria Yakusha are all featured in this spellbinding apartment. She elaborates that “My home is a reflection of my love for diversity, blending cultural creations from artists like the American Betty Woodman to Algerian Baya Mahieddine.”
Settling In
In a short span of time, Snow has sewn herself into the fabric of the country she now calls home. She self-deprecatingly laughs that one of her greatest claims to fame here, are the 200 robots her company supplied to EXPO 2020, earning her the honour of being bestowed with the China’s Goodwill Ambassador title. But it is clear, as this investment mogul and managing partner of Pine Capital greets prominent personalities as she plays host from her favoured perch at DIFC’s The Arts Club, that Snow has been welcomed with open arms to the UAE. And that in return, she has embraced the country – and the Middle East – back with equal warmth, making herself eminently at home.
Photography by Aasiya Jagadeesh
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s November 2023 issue.