The first month of 2023 belonged to Singapore, which kick-started the year with the launch of the new Art SG fair, the return of S.E.A. Focus, as well as the ongoing Singapore Biennale across the island-state. Other locations across Asia, such as Hong Kong, are warming up for citywide art events, as borders reopen and regional travel resumes.
SINGAPORE
Four years after the abrupt cancellation of Art Stage, Singapore’s then-largest art fair, in 2019, the inaugural Art SG (January 12–15) welcomed over 42,700 collectors and art enthusiastic to the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, where 164 leading galleries from 35 countries and territories occupied two floors.
Regional- and Singapore-based galleries were excited about sales and (2003), a playful twist on naked body parts, and Yunizar’s vibrant (2022) at undisclosed prices. Richard Koh Fine Art (Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Bangkok) secured multiple sales in the range of USD 10,000–35,000 for its young artists and struck a USD 500,000 deal with a corporate collection for a pair of bronze and painting works by Thai artist Natee Utarit. Singapore’s Yavuz Gallery, which showcased a group of leading Southeast Asian artists, sold Pinaree Sanpitak’s latest vibrantly red mixed-media paintings, and (both 2022), at undisclosed prices.
