With the active support of her architect husband, Stephen Markbreiter, she founded Arts of Asia in 1970. From the beginning it was clear that this was not another ephemeral lifestyle magazine but a serious and beautifully produced bi-monthly journal.
Nguyet’s tenacity and drive became the stuff of legend and she rapidly acquired advertising from the world’s leading dealers and auction houses.
The fact that she herself was oriental (Vietnamese) did her no harm at all and several observers noted that her magazine played a significant part in the great Chinese art boom of recent times.
Nguyet’s role as publisher and editor of the magazine was eventually passed on to the youngest of her four sons, Robin Markbreiter, who clearly inherited his mother’s flair and capacity for hard work. Fortunately Nguyet lived to see the impressive 50th anniversary edition of her much-loved magazine (January-February 2020).
Julian Harding
Contributing editor, Arts of Asia
