Episode 8 - "Rishika Assomull, Sotheby's Deputy Director of Modern & Contemporary Southeast Asian Art!"

What do u want to be when u grow up?!

24-08-2023 • 39 mins

Are you a creative person? Do you love art? You don’t necessarily need to be an artist in order to find a fulfilling career in the art industry! Art careers come in many different shapes and sizes, from creating original artworks to selling and promoting them to teaching others. Today, you’ll hear from Miss Rishika Assomull, who is the Deputy Director and Senior Specialist of Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art at Sotheby’s Hong Kong. Tuning in, you’ll find out the difference between modern and contemporary art, what Miss Rishika’s role entails, and what it takes to work at one of the biggest auction houses in the world. We also discuss the importance of building relationships and finding mentors, and Miss Rishika tells us what she loves about working in the industry and shares her advice for anyone who wants to follow a similar path. If this sounds like something you’d love to do when you grow up, be sure to tune in today to find out more!


Key Points From This Episode:

  • Insight into Miss Rishika’s background and her role at Sotheby’s.
  • Distinguishing between modern and contemporary art.
  • The history of Sotheby’s and what they do as an auction house.
  • How Miss Rishika participates in live auctions on behalf of her clients.
  • What goes into promoting rare artworks and items to clients around the world.
  • The importance of authentication (and how you can tell if a painting is counterfeit!)
  • The process of appraising a painting and deciding on its value.
  • Different types of art that Miss Rishika handles in her department.
  • What she loves about working in the art industry (including the travel opportunities it offers).
  • Advice for those who want to follow a similar career path: find multiple role models!
  • The critical role that internships played in Miss Rishika’s career development.
  • A look at her education, process of self-discovery, and what she has learned "on the job.”
  • Highlighting some of the most fascinating aspects of her career.


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rishika Assomull on LinkedIn

Rishika Assomull on Instagram

Rishika Assomull on X

Sotheby’s