The art collector discusses how the inaugural edition of international art fair Art SG, opening this week, could mark the beginning of a sea change in the local art scene
Alan Lo grew up surrounded by art, specifically the 20th‑century Chinese ink on paper works his father collected since the late 1970s. His understanding of the visual language grew when he studied abroad, having had the opportunity to see world‑class museum exhibitions.
Today, he is one of Hong Kong’s most enthusiastic supporters of the arts, and has served on the boards of numerous cultural institutions, including the grant funding platform Design Trust and independent non‑profit art space Para Site, as well as Art Basel’s Global Patrons Council and the Tate Asia‑Pacific Acquisitions Committee, among others.
So when cultural entrepreneur Magnus Renfrew founded Art HK: Hong Kong International Art Fair in 2007, he naturally invited Lo to serve on the advisory board.
“It was an eye‑opener for me because it was [my] first opportunity to see such a global programming of art coming [to Hong Kong],” says the restaurateur and property investor. “In the past, you would have had to travel across the world to art fairs such as Art Basel and Frieze. It was a huge difference to see the kind of museum‑quality art coming right to our doorstep.” (Art HK has since been rebranded as Art Basel Hong Kong, after it was acquired by MCH Group, the parent company of Art Basel, in 2011.)
Read more: Art SG: Why Southeast Asia Deserves an International Art Fair To Call Its Own
Renfrew will launch his newest international art fair, Art SG, this month, set to take place from January 12 to 15 (with the VIP preview on January 11) at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, and Lo has been called upon to be part of the advisory group. “It’s long overdue for an international art fair to return to Singapore. I think there’ll be interest from across Southeast Asia, such as from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. There’s huge opportunity in Asia’s [art market]—and Singapore has a role to play, not just for those based here, but also [those] in the region,” says Lo.
With its vision to be a meeting point in Southeast Asia, Art SG features a strong line‑up of more than 150 international, regional and local galleries, including mega galleries Gagosian and White Cube. Joining Lo in the advisory group is his wife, Singapore‑born hospitality entrepreneur Yenn Wong of Hong Kong‑based Jia Group, alongside other names from Singapore and across the region, including The Hour Glass’s Michael Tay, The Lo and Behold Group’s Wee Teng Wen, and art collector Kim Camacho. These prominent collectors or leaders in their respective industries will assist the fair organisers to reach out to their individual networks and circles.
“The members of the Art SG advisory group are excited about what it means to launch a brand‑new platform in the post‑pandemic era. Collectors from the region are once again actively travelling to art fairs and biennales. We’re definitely seeing a lot more of young, first‑time collectors coming into the scene. Art SG is a great place for them to explore, to speak to some of the best galleries in the world and check out their programmes,” says Lo.
Don't miss: Art World Figures Celebrate Art SG’s Upcoming Launch in January 2023