Cover Photo: cyano66 / Getty Images
Photo: cyano66 / Getty Images
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Seasoned collectors and specialists share insights on art collecting
Around the Seventies, the Philippines’ crème de la crème took an interest in collecting Filipiniana and antique porcelain, which eventually led to a growing enthusiasm for collecting artworks from local contemporary artists. Now, the scene is as flourishing as ever, with a vibrant community of art enthusiasts and patrons actively engaging in the appreciation and support for Filipino artistry.
What sparks an individual’s initial interest in art? For some, it stems from a passion for history, while others begin with exposure, gradually evolving into a love for it. Over time, several galleries have emerged, offering more platforms for the public to engage with the art scene. For Lourdes Samson, director of SEED The Art Space in Singapore, and her husband, attending more shows and visiting galleries are imperative in expanding their collection. Auction houses, in particular, play a crucial role in acquiring more knowledge about the pieces.
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“The auction house is crucial in the art ecosystem,” says Olivia Yao, executive director and head of fundraising for the largest hospital in the country and the publisher of Art After War 1948–1969, a coffee table book on Philippine modern art written by Patrick Flores. “You have the galleries that introduce art to the public, then you have the auction houses that are the bigger art market,” Yao explains. Like in other countries, the Philippine market share for local auction houses plays a huge role, for there is an oversaturation of auctions in a calendar year here.
Above Olivia Yao (Photo: Bank of the Philippine Islands)
Olivia Yao (Photo: Bank of the Philippine Islands)
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“Many collectors find their first step into art collecting at a local auction house,” shares Sandy Ma, an international specialist in 20th-century and contemporary art from Phillips. “And from there on, [auction houses] are watching, collectors are watching, and the art world is watching.”
Art is subjective, and each person’s collection journey varies. For example, Ma first collected artworks related to her background and upbringing in Hong Kong. Eventually, she moved to Indonesian artists, where she lived for a decade. “That’s how most people [and their] collections start normally.”
Yao, on the other hand, treads a more inspired route. “My son was eight years old when I purchased a Louie Cordero piece from his studio in Cubao. When he first saw it he said, ‘Mom, is that yours? That’s the best artwork you brought to our house,’” she shares. It encouraged her to look into contemporary art more. “My collections are discovering new artists and new visual languages. So that gives me the eye.”
Others would be more partial to logic and the idea of investments. “I think it was a Marcel Antonio artwork bought in 1998 for PhP35,000,” shares Samson. Her collection pieces have deviated a lot from that early piece. The current state of her collection is primarily Southeast Asian. “Living in Singapore, we have a lot of access to artists from the region who would show in galleries and museums. And our collection, at the moment, is finding the dialogues between artists who live across Southeast Asia.”
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Above Sandy Ma (Photo: Bank of the Philippine Islands)
Sandy Ma (Photo: Bank of the Philippine Islands)
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How important is it for the Filipino collector to expand their potential beyond Filipino art? “There are merits, of course, of having a very diversified portfolio—they hate using that type of term, or that type of thinking because I agree with the collectors here to say that it does hold different values and it doesn’t have to be a monetary one,” says Ma. “When it comes to diversification, it just means that you can open up your mindset and knowledge as well as gain an understanding of different backgrounds and cultures. That’s important.”
This generation is a group of “discerning collectors and art lovers who want to explore many different parts of the art world,” Ma adds. Because of information being accessible through social media, and people flying to art fairs worldwide, the experience is easier now than ever. “Because we are mobile, we are international, we are looking far beyond our vicinity. This reflects the changing tastes of individuals, not just art in general, and I see that continuing for a while. But it’s always great to see Filipino collectors holding on dear to their favourite artists as part of their contribution and support to the local scene.”
“At some point, your collection becomes its entity, where you have to decide whether an artwork that can join your collection can enhance the entire sum of it,” Samson adds.
Above Lourdes Samson (Photo: Bank of the Philippine Islands)
Lourdes Samson (Photo: Bank of the Philippine Islands)
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Recognising the limitations of the collecting journey is crucial. “I have sold some pieces in my collection, and I had to do it,” Yao shares. “I don’t have all the money to buy all the works or maybe have access to the best representational work of a certain artist, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.” The most important thing for her is keeping your collection fresh and relevant. “Sometimes a good piece is out there, and you might not have available cash to buy it. You have to make the decision.” However, you have to do it in a considerate manner. “Selling a fresh work in the auction of contemporary art is a no because you can break an artist’s career.”
In art collecting, the journey begins with diverse motivations, be it a passion for history, exposure, or investment. However, Filipino collectors’ enduring commitment to contribute actively to the flourishing art scene distinguishes them. Their engagements go beyond mere acquisition, evolving into a dedicated support system for local artists, fostering a cultural phenomenon that is both dynamic and enduring.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
