Singapore Art Week (17-26 January) brings together over 160 events for the city's biggest celebration of the visual arts. Read our special supplement here
The Art Newspaper: What project are you working on at the moment?
Ning Chong: At The Culture Story we have decided to spotlight 16 female artists from different parts of Asia, ranging from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong to Southeast Asia. We try to capture the zeitgeist in our programmes, and we all know there is more and more interest in women artists and artists who were overlooked in the canon of art history.
In your experience, how has Singapore’s art scene evolved over the last decade?
The market has certainly matured over the last few years. When business resumed to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw the launch of the ART SG art fair, and Sotheby’s Asia returned with a live auction in 2022 after a 15-year hiatus. These two events have bolstered confidence in our market and we see growing interest, especially amongst local art buyers in their 30s and 40s who mainly collect Singaporean artists. We also observe regional collectors and new residents in Singapore taking part in the local auctions.
The commercial art market in Singapore has tremendous potential. Most of the hardware and core services are in place; we have professional art handlers, shipping, insurance, conservators etc. Having said that, there was a gap in the ecosystem in terms of professional art collection management services, valuation and appraisals. That was clearly an opportunity, so I started Family Office For Art in 2022 with a view that our services for high net-worth individuals, corporates and cultural institutions would not only complement existing players in the art ecosystem, but also contribute to the development of Singapore’s overall visual art scene.
What do you think is the most distinctive thing about Singapore’s art scene?
Singapore is home to a diverse community of collectors, some with very broad interests and some who are laser-focused and disciplined. In terms of contemporary art, most Singaporean collectors acquire works by local artists, from emerging names to established ones like Cheong Soo Pieng and Lim Tze Peng, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021. However, many collectors also buy widely from all over Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea and even Western names.
What would you recommend to first-time visitors to Singapore?
I highly recommend the permanent exhibition SINGAPO at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, it is a fun interactive experience, ideal for young and old, offering visitors a better understanding of Nanyang Chinese culture. The second place is the Fort Canning Heritage Gallery: I was impressed with the quality of artefacts, heritage treasures and storytelling which delves into the history of Fort Canning Hill, which served as an important vantage point in our development as a city-port. These two exhibitions will give the first-time visitor greater insights into Singapore’s history and culture.
What events or exhibitions are you looking forward to attending during Singapore Art Week?
I’m looking forward to seeing works from private collections such as Pierre Lorinet’s exhibition at New Bahru Factory (until 2 February), Richard Koh’s exhibition at The Private Museum (until 9 March), and also long-time friends Albert Lim and Linda Neo, who just opened their new private space Primz Gallery (by appointment only).
