ART SG has returned to the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center for its lively third year, welcoming avid art enthusiasts.
While there was a slight dip in the number of participating galleries compared to last year, the energy was palpable as the venue buzzed with visitors until the 9 p.m. closing on the VIP opening night.
A sense of optimism filled the air, with dealers eagerly engaging with attendees.
Sales and Concerns
Prominent galleries like Lehmann Maupin and White Cube enjoyed promising sales from the get-go.
Cardi Gallery celebrated a standout moment with the sale of a Pablo Picasso colored pencil artwork, priced at a striking $1.2 million.
Despite this excitement, several attendees expressed concerns about the recent fires in Los Angeles and their potential impact on the art scene, particularly regarding the future of Frieze LA.
Art collector Agnes Lew, who also holds the position of managing director and head of private banking at East West Bank, underscored the necessity of continuing the West Coast art fair.
She emphasized maintaining a sense of normalcy, as many artists rely on sales to sustain their livelihoods.
While perusing the fair with Kulapat Yantrasast, founding partner and creative director of wHY Architecture, Lew spoke about the resilience required during these challenging times.
Yantrasast concurred, stating that direct support to artists boosts their confidence and dignity, rather than merely providing charity.
He acknowledged Lew’s pivotal role in establishing a $12 million emergency fund for those affected by the fires.
Artist Highlights
Lew highlighted that many artists seek meaningful aid instead of mere handouts, focusing on initiatives that enable them to continue creating.
She encouraged attendees to stay positive and reminded everyone of the opportunities that still exist for community engagement.
As guests explored the exhibition hall, they encountered an impressive variety of artistry, from mesmerizing optical illusions made with Kenyan textiles to stirring photographs and intricate multimedia works, alongside captivating marble sculptures.
- THANDIWE MURIU AT 193 GALLERY: Kenyan artist Thandiwe Muriu brings her advertising photography skills, precision tailoring, and knack for optical illusions to life at 193 Gallery in Paris.
Her stunning series of portraits features intricately crafted garments made of Ankara fabric along with historical hairstyles and repurposed everyday items turned into eyewear.
The “Camo” series narrates Muriu’s personal challenges as a pioneering female artist, leading up to her upcoming solo exhibit titled “I Am Because We Are,” set to open at NYU’s Gallatin Galleries in New York on January 30.
- MANDY EL-SAYEGH AT LEHMANN MAUPIN: Mandy El-Sayegh, a Malaysian Chinese and Palestinian artist, captivates with her layered creations.
Her “Net-Grid” series, featuring oil and acrylic works on linen, merges collage and silkscreen techniques while nodding to various cultural influences, including currency and advertising.
El-Sayegh’s striking pieces scrutinize the intricate dance between time and current events.
Notably, her work “Net-Grid Study (Euro-Joy)” was acquired by a collector from Jakarta, Indonesia, for $72,000 by the close of the VIP preview night.
- ANTONIO SANTÍN AT MARC STRAUS: Antonio Santín enchants onlookers with his oil paintings that replicate the lavish textures of ornamental rugs.
Each artwork demonstrates the Spanish artist’s meticulous craftsmanship using a unique machine he developed for his creations.
These stunning optical illusions invite deeper exploration of the hidden dimensions within Santín’s pieces, a reflection of his roots as a sculptor.
- ALEX SETON AT SULLIVAN+STRUMPF: Sculptor Alex Seton from Sydney engages audiences through six small sculptures that mimic the look of puffer jackets, all delicately sculpted from Queensland pearl marble.
Through these works, Seton critiques the themes of disposability in fast fashion, inviting viewers to ponder personal narratives and shared experiences against the backdrop of marble’s rich sculptural tradition.
- NURI BILGE CEYLAN AT DIRIMART: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, renowned for his cinematic vision, presents his striking widescreen photographs as part of the Turkey Cinemascope series.
These intimate landscape depictions reveal his mastery of visual storytelling, enriched by years in film.
Attention is building for Ceylan’s first solo exhibition in the Netherlands, debuting at the Eye Museum in Amsterdam on January 17.
Resilience of the Art Community
As ART SG unfolds throughout the week, it stands as a testament to the creativity and resilience of the art community, demonstrating that inspiration and connection can thrive even in tough circumstances.