Blast Off

Cai Guo-Qiang has wowed audiences around the world with his explosive pyrotechnic art—and he couldn’t have done it without the help of one of his biggest champions, Wendi Murdoch

- Oliver Giles

Wendi Murdoch is passionate about a great many things—fashion, food and film among them. She’s also obsessive about technology, and can list from memory facts and figures about the hottest start-ups from Silicon Valley to Shanghai. But most of all, Murdoch loves artists—none more so than Cai GuoQiang. “I have many great pieces from Cai,” she says in her rapid-fire English. “They’re in my living room, my bedroom, my hallway. They’re in my home in China, my home in the US. I love to be with his art. It makes me happy.” She pauses. “I’m very honoured to have them.”

Cai, sitting next to her, beams.