Cover A view of the Claudia and Hogi Hyun’s home, open for private tours of the couple’s art collection during Singapore Gallery Month
A view of the Claudia and Hogi Hyun’s home, open for private tours of the couple’s art collection during Singapore Gallery Month
1 / 1
Exclusively open for public tours during Singapore Gallery Month, these private art collections in grand Singapore homes await your discovery throughout September 2024
Singapore Gallery Month is back again this year with an expanded programme encompassing a full calendar of art exhibitions, talks, and a curated series of private art collection tours across the city.
These private art collections are housed within grand Singapore homes from Bukit Timah to Pasir Ris, normally closed to the public. They offer a rare opportunity to peek into the world of passionate collectors, immerse yourself in the local art scene, and unearth a wealth of artistic inspiration.
Even during Singapore Gallery Month, they’re not just open to anyone; these collections can be toured exclusively by registering for the special Patron’s Pass, envisioned for collectors and art enthusiasts who value elevated experiences in the art world.
The pass additionally grants priority access to the other events in the Singapore Gallery Month lineup, so it’s a worthy investment for art lovers planning to sign up for multiple experiences.
In case you missed it: How to display your art collection at home, according to expert gallerists and curators
The Malcolm Road Collection 1
An art-filled space in Claudia and Hogi Hyun’s home
1 / 3
Get a glimpse inside the home of Claudia and Hogi Hyun, a cosmopolitan couple who transformed their black-and-white bungalow on Malcolm Road into an artistic haven. The pair’s collection of Asian art and antiques is “rich in diversity and historicity”, a time capsule of centuries of Southeast Asian artistic creation.
Not only will the two avid collectors lead you on a private and highly exclusive tour of their home on September 7, but they will also dispense insights into their collecting practice, making it a particularly enlightening experience for budding collectors.
Don’t miss: Home tour: Inside a black-and-white bungalow in Singapore that celebrates Asian art and culture
The Malcolm Road Collection 2
Above ‘Yuki’s top 10’ by David Muller, from the Malcolm Road Collection 2
‘Yuki’s top 10’ by David Muller, from the Malcolm Road Collection 2
1 / 1
These collectors originally hail from Hong Kong, having established themselves in their lush and verdant Singapore abode with a deeply meaningful and global art collection shaped by philosophical questions of identity and time, as well as an “affinity for metaphysics”.
Thoughtfully curated and sure to leave you feeling inspired, this private tour on September 8 is not to be missed.
The Nassim Road Collection
Above Selected artworks displayed in the Nassim Road Collection
Above ‘Unequal Innocence’ by Suzann Victor, from the Nassim Road Collection
Selected artworks displayed in the Nassim Road Collection
1 / 2
Art and design enthusiasts Krystina Lyon and Mark Budden have been growing their private collection for decades; in fact, ever since they first met each other over 30 years ago in England, having brought along treasured pieces when they relocated to Singapore.
Lyon is particularly fond of female artists from Southeast Asia. She possesses a wealth of knowledge about each piece she owns and deeply connects with every artwork in her home, which makes this tour a deeply inspiring and enlivening one, taking place on September 12.
If you’re unable to make it for the tour, do keep an eye out for the upcoming October print issue of Tatler Homes Singapore, which stands to feature this gorgeous, art-filled home in its full splendour.
The Stevens Road Collection
Above Collector and philanthropist Vir Kotak, pictured with his Stevens Road Collection
Collector and philanthropist Vir Kotak, pictured with his Stevens Road Collection
1 / 1
Drawing on their South Asian heritage, collectors and philanthropists Vir Kotak and his wife always keep their art collection fresh. Their Stevens Road home currently features several contemporary artists, with a penchant for “textiles and patterns as well as narratives on home and identity”.
These collectors await you in their beautiful abode on September 14, where they will take you on a tour of the contemporary South Asian, West Asian and Southeast Asian art world.
Read more: Singapore-based art collector and patron Vir Kotak on how he built his own collection
The Pasir Ris Collection
Above ‘Looking at the South China Sea. The Sea has No Country’ by Ng Joon Kiat, from the Pasir Ris Collection (Photo: Yeoworkshop)
‘Looking at the South China Sea. The Sea has No Country’ by Ng Joon Kiat, from the Pasir Ris Collection (Photo: Yeoworkshop)
1 / 1
Previously based in China, this collector has been adding contemporary works by Singaporean artists to his collection since his return to the city in 2019, immersing himself in the local art scene. He especially enjoys exploring independent galleries and art spaces to uncover young creatives.
Join him in his artful Pasir Ris home on September 15 to share in his enthusiasm for Singapore art, and learn from his approach to building a collection in the process.
The River Valley Collection
Above ‘The Seven Sisters’ by Tjungkara Ken, from the River Valley Collection (Photo: Jan Murphy Gallery)
‘The Seven Sisters’ by Tjungkara Ken, from the River Valley Collection (Photo: Jan Murphy Gallery)
1 / 1
The Australian couple residing in this River Valley home developed a taste for art from the Asia-Pacific region after their relocation to Singapore, with a collection that has been steadily expanding. What began as a range of First Nations art now also includes works by local creatives such as Hazel Lim, Alvin Ong and Robert Zhao.
On this tour, taking place on September 22, you’ll gain insight into the couple’s journey building their art collection, and discover unique pieces that explore modernity, queerness, and post-colonialism.
The Bukit Timah Collection
Nestled in Bukit Timah, this collector’s home houses contemporary works from Korea, China, India, and Taiwan. Embedded in the art world from a young age, she was exposed to her late father’s museum work as a child, which developed her eye for aesthetics and prompted her to pursue art history alongside East Asian studies later on, leading her to relocate to Singapore 30 years ago.
She now “honours her father’s legacy by continuing the family tradition of collecting art, expanding her collection”. Sign up for this exclusive tour of her home on September 28 to experience her exquisite collection.
Beyond these curated tours of private art collections in their gorgeous abodes, there are countless other events you can sign up for during Singapore Gallery Month. Look out for free guided tours of galleries in Gillman Barracks and Tanjong Pagar Distripark, artful wellness sessions, and family-friendly programmes.
For budding collectors and keen artists, educational talks and workshops on collecting art, building wealth through collecting, and the art market in Southeast Asia will prove especially enlightening. Two social sessions—a soirée to meet your “artistic soulmate” and a gallery crawl accompanied by sake tasting—are sure to tempt you this month as well.
Credits
Images: Courtesy of the respective galleries and artists
