Michael was one of the first Western pop singers to tour China in 1985 when he performed as a member of the duo Wham!. He later embarked on a successful solo career and won prestigious awards, including two Grammy's. In 2008 he was ranked 40th on Billboard's list of the Greatest Hot 100 Artists of All Time.

Shanghai is the only city in China where the artworks will be exhibited. By taking Michael's collection on show in Shanghai, Christie's hopes to "provide a fascinating insight into the broader tastes of a man who was deeply admired all over the world," according to Jussi Pylkkanen, global president of Christie's.

On exhibition in Shanghai are works by Tracey Emin, Cerith Wyn Evans, Tim Noble and Sue Webster, a collage painting by Jim Lambie and two paintings by Damien Hirst.