- This topic is empty.
-
Can investing in Southeast Asian art really make you money?
As global interest in art from เกมสล็อต this underrated region grows, owning local art could turn out to be a savvy investment – but only if you have the passion and patience. We speak to art gallery owners and auction houses to find out more.
One of the most recognisable works of art from Singapore is Chen Wen Hsi’s Two Gibbons Amidst Vines, which can be seen on the back of the country’s S$50 note. Interestingly, this is not the only painting of the apes that the pioneering artist produced – he painted them prolifically and left behind a significant range of artwork featuring these animals.
Not surprisingly, when such pieces are put up for sale on the secondary market, they often attract art lovers’ attention and can command prices that are well above their estimated value. For instance, A Pair of Gibbons, which was part of the artist Liu Kang’s collection, sold for HK$630,000 (S$109,957) at a Phillips Hong Kong auction last December – well above its HK$150,000 (S$26,180) high estimate. In 2019, another gibbons painting was sold by Christie’s Hong Kong for HK$375,000 (S$65,451).
More recently, Gibbons from the estate of David Marshall, Singapore’s first Chief Minister, went under the hammer for S$35,000 at Singapore-based auction house Hotlotz, at almost thrice its high estimate.
“The gibbons are a good subject matter for the artist, these are always reasonably popular. This example had extremely interesting provenance which boosted the demand considerably. Provenance is often key when selling items at auction and can make a significant difference to prices achieved,” said Matthew Elton, founder of Hotlotz.
Indeed, in recent years, art from Singapore has been garnering more attention in the art world. Ho Sou Ping, director of Artcommune gallery, which specialises in Singapore’s modern visual arts, said, “In the period from 2010 to 2015, prices of some of our Singapore artworks have risen by as much as 300 per cent. Over the past ten years, works by pioneer artists such as Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi and more recently, Georgette Chen, have made good progress both locally and internationally.”
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
