From curating works from the region to bringing together a community of bashful collectors, Linda Neo is fortifying the appreciation for and patronage of Singapore and Southeast Asian art
“Art does so much [for] the soul,” Linda Neo tells us as we sit back in the dim light of Exit Stage Left, a dusky speakeasy‐inspired bar concept on Desker Road that is the last stop of New World’s End, an immersive audio tour organised by Oh! Open House, where art, storytelling and bespoke cocktails converge.
As the chairperson of the independent organisation that tells alternative stories of Singapore through art, Neo proudly oversees every project, taking it under her wing. Even before joining the board, she was a supporter. “I’ve always believed in supporting [art] organisations, but I find that the small collective system of institutions really needs our help more than anything else,” says Neo.
Extending opportunities for exploration and creativity to home‐grown artists is her North Star as she pursues this work, drawn in particular to supporting unconventional creations such as conceptual work experiencing difficulty finding representation in mainstream galleries. “These are the people with a passion. Oh! Open House gives them an opportunity to [pursue] that. We open up the place for young artists to experiment,” she says.
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She also points out the young mixologist working the bar at Exit Stage Left as we speak as an extension of the organisation’s predilection for experimentation. As he gets the place ready for another evening of New World’s End, he reaches for the distinct flavours of Singapore, curated for the bar’s bespoke cocktail menu. What we discover is hawthorn berries meeting nutmeg pericarp, a floral mix of jasmine gin and oolong tea, and locally distilled vodka with tamarind jam.
Hearing Neo speak of the local art scene with such fondness belies her background; neither an artist nor an art historian by trade, she has an over-30‐year career as a financial broker behind her. The passion for art was born almost accidentally.
As she dove deeper into the subject to explore a common interest with her husband Albert Lim, she found herself enamoured with the works she came across. “I got hooked, kind of like an obsession ... Once I was introduced to it, I got really excited. It started with buying a couple [of pieces] for the walls and now, we’ve been travelling together for art tours, art fairs, and events,” she muses.
The couple soon realised they were running out of room to display the artworks and do them justice, warranting a dedicated space to curate and showcase their growing collection. They invested in Primz Gallery, initially as a private refuge. “It was a sanctuary. If we wanted to chill out, we’d go there and just enjoy the artworks,” says Neo.