Sotheby's will hold its first Modern and Contemporary Art auction in Singapore, in response to both ever-increasing demand from a growing collector base in the region and the company's commitment to maintain a field presence across the APAC region. Works by some of the masters of Southeast Asian art will be presented alongside both established and younger international artists, creating a melting pot of Eastern and Western influences which in turn reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Singaporean society. The August 28 auction will be streamed worldwide via sothebys.com, with a preview exhibition also from 25 to 27 August at Regent Singapore.
As a testament to its commitment to growing opportunities across the region, the staging of the upcoming sale in Singapore coincides with Sotheby's broader approach of meeting customers wherever they are, while also taking its business model beyond the traditional sales centers. Last year, Sotheby's held its debut auction in Las Vegas and also opened galleries in Aspen, Monaco, East Hampton and Palm Beach. Singapore collectors demand and of the entire Southeast Asian region in which it is geographically central, has grown exponentially in recent years, with the number of Southeast Asian participants in Sotheby's global sales increasing nearly 75% over the past five years.
The Sotheby's sale will include works by a range of artists from across Asia
A particular focus on Southeast Asian art, complemented by a number of works by leading Western artists. Among those appearing in the sale is Hendra Gunawan, a leading figure in the Indonesian art scene. A self-taught artist, Gunawan has a remarkable ability to monumentalize the humanity of Indonesia, often manifested by the subjects' dynamic gestures and expressions and delicate color work. The artist's work will be shown alongside paintings by Vietnamese artist Le Pho, Singaporean artists Georgette Chen and Cheong Soo Pieng, Filipino artist Fernando Amorsolo. Works by international artists who have been influenced by Asian culture are also included in the sale and embraced by Southeast Asian collectors, such as the Chinese-French painter Chu Teh-Chun and as well as sought-after emerging contemporary artists such as the Spanish artist Rafa Macarron.
The Singapore auction coincides with a number of other regional Sotheby's initiatives:
• Vietnam : Earlier this month, Sotheby's organized the first ever international exhibition of modern Vietnamese art in Ho Chi Minh City, “Timeless Souls: Beyond the Voyage – Hồn Xưa Bến Lạ”. The event was attended by over 4.000 visitors over the four day exhibition with Sotheby's capacity being expanded repeatedly to meet demand.
• Mainland China: Jean Qian recently appointed as CEO, China. Based in Shanghai, Jean leads the China team to lead the expansion of Sotheby's local business, driving strategic growth initiatives and expanding its client base. Ahead of the Hong Kong Autumn Sale, a variety of exhibitions will travel to China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. In November, Sotheby's will also return to the China International Import Expo (CIIE) after a successful debut last year. Sotheby's will also unveil the pillars of its local strategy to meet the demand for a growing collector base nurtured by a new generation of collectors.
• Japan: Earlier this year, Sotheby's moved its residence to Tokyo to be close to the neighborhood's contemporary art scene and to accommodate a larger meeting space for client visits and visits.
• South Korea: news coming soon
Cover image: HENDRA GUNAWAN'S FISH MARKET ON THE BEACH, 1980, OIL ON CANVAS, 140 X 234 CM credit Sotheby's
