HONG KONG.- Bonhams announced the appointment of Iris Miao as Senior International Consultant of Chinese Paintings.

Commenting on her appointment, Dessa Goddard, Director of Asian Art, North America, said: “We are delighted to have Iris as one of the leading members of our group of Chinese paintings specialists in the U.S. and Hong Kong as we move to expand our presence in this global market.”

Based in Beijing and Hong Kong, Iris brings with her a wealth of experience in the Chinese paintings market. A graduate of the Beijing Normal University in China, Iris took master courses in History of Art and Archaeology at SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

She has been involved in the booming art market in China since 1995 and has extensive contact with top collectors in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States. Her career includes a seven-year stint at a leading international auction house as a specialist in Hong Kong and later as head of its Classical Chinese Paintings department in New York. Prior to that, she worked actively as an editor and reporter for major media agencies in China and Taiwan.

Over the past decade she has dealt with picture collections sold for billions of Hong Kong dollars. She currently runs her own art consultancy firm in addition to taking up this important role for Bonhams in Asia and North America.

Iris joined Bonhams on 15 October 2013. Speaking about her new role she says: "I appreciate Bonhams' determination and efforts in strengthening its worldwide departments of Chinese paintings; it is truly a remarkable trend to build on. I am particularly pleased to be able to contribute to the healthy growth of the market in such an exciting yet challenging time."