Who is Bravo’s ‘Work of Art’ host China Chow?

On June 9th Bravo will be launching a new reality show Work of Art: The Next Great Artist that is being co-produced by Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and her company “Pretty Matches.”  36-year-old China Chow will be hosting this show that will feature 14 aspiring artists competing for a large cash prize and a coveted solo show at a yet-to-be-determined nationally recognized museum.  So who is China Chow and what happened to the rest of her shirt in the above pic?  Well we’re glad you asked.

China Chow (no, not the killer buffet down the street from where you work) is the daughter of legendary restaurateur Michael Chow (Mr. Chow restaurant chain) and late model/designer Tina Chow.  She was born in London and is of Chinese, Japanese, German, American, and British ancestry, apparently blessed with the loveliest features of each.  She moved to New York City at a young age and the combination of her father’s restaurant becoming an epicenter for the New York art scene and the influences of her mother Tina meant she was surrounded by and submerged in a who’s who list of NYC artists.  Here is a great shot of the late Tina Chow – revealing where China got much of her passion for art and her stunning looks:

Some of China Chow’s childhood friends included Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Julian Schnabel and Francesco Clemente.  That list automatically buys you canvas street cred.  The following is from her bio page at Bravo:

“Chow has fond memories of learning to draw elephants with their family friend, renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Having spent most of her Saturdays at museums with her parents, it was inevitable that she would become an avid art enthusiast. “Art is one of the most authentic ways for a person to express themselves,” Chow believes. “Clothing has to be functional, food has to taste good – but art is the purest form of expression, existing without set boundaries.”

China has a reputation on her own as a fashionista and Hollywood hottie.  She has modeled for Shiseido Cosmetics, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein.  This modeling experience landed her in Harper’s Bazaar’s 1996 “It Girl” list.  Following this success she made the transition to Hollywood starring in the film “The Big Hit” along with Mark Wahlberg.  Here are two montage videos of Chow and Wahlberg together.

The Big Hit Part One:

The Big Hit Part Two

China was linked romantically with Wahlberg after the film.  She also had a fling with Hollywood heavyweight Keanu Reeves.  As if there isn’t enough proof that Keanu Reeves is perhaps the most fortunate man on earth here is a photo of The Matrix star hanging out with China Chow (who just happens to be TOPLESS).

China will not only be the host of  Work of Art but will also serve as a judge during the competition process.