Myriam Ullens, pioneering collector of Chinese contemporary art, shot dead in Belgium

On Wednesday, Myriam Ullens, a prominent collector and supporter of Chinese contemporary art, was fatally shot outside her residence in Belgium. Authorities suspect her stepson, Nicolas Ullens, who surrendered to police on Thursday morning, is responsible for the murder. This violent incident may stem from a longstanding inheritance dispute. Myriam, born in 1952 in Cologne, initially launched various businesses before dedicating herself to non-profit endeavors. In 1999, she wed Belgian businessman and art collector Guy Ullens. Together, they transitioned from classical Chinese scroll paintings to contemporary artists like Huang Yong Ping and Xu Zhen, amassing over 2,000 pieces by 2007. They established the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, which was sold in 2017 and is now the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art. UCCA Director Philip Tinari praised Myriam's vision and generosity in a statement.