Affordable Art Fair Singapore Back for 10th Edition
Redeem Private Viewing Tickets
By Ho See Wah
Daisy Toh, ‘Valleys’, 2018, ceramics, 8 x 8 x 20cm. Image courtesy of Affordable Art Fair Singapore.
Affordable Art Fair Singapore is back for its 10th edition from 22 to 24 November 2019. Taking place at the F1 Pit Building, the fair will house 80 international galleries from countries such as Singapore, Bangkok, India, South Korea and the United Kingdom. In line with its ethos of making art accessible to all, fair-goers can expect a congenial environment where viewing and purchasing art is made easy, especially for first-time art buyers.
The fair is diverse in what it offers. With media ranging from painting and sculpture to street art and new media, and over 20 new galleries and 200 new artists exhibiting, Affordable Art Fair is kept fresh and dynamic for both greener art audiences and seasoned members of the art world. Prices range from SGD100 to SGD15,000, with 74% of the works going for under SGD7,500, which may be less daunting for visitors looking to make their first art purchase. All artworks have their selling price clearly labelled as well, making it quick and easy to identify works within one’s own budget.
Fair Director Alan Koh says, “Over the years, we have dedicated ourselves to actively develop a new group of local art collectors from the ground up and to create a sustainable and healthy art eco-system in Singapore for art businesses. Seeing 30% of our art buyers purchase their first piece of art at the fair reaffirms our mission to make art accessible.”
Patrick Hughes, ‘Silver’, 2019, hand painted multiple with archival inkjet, 46 x 58 x 17cm. Image courtesy of Ode to Art.
An exhibiting gallery from Singapore is Ode to Art. The gallery represents prominent artists such as Chua Ee Kay (Singapore), Adi Gunawan (Indonesia) and Yayoi Kusama (Japan). 'Silver', a work by one of Affordable Art Fair favourites, London-based artist Patrick Hughes, is going for SGD9,500.
Nguyễn Nghĩa Cương, ‘Soldier with Flowers’, 2015, gouache on news print, 40 x 55cm. Image courtesy of Chryse Gallery of Fine Art.
Chryse Gallery of Fine Art, a historical and modern Southeast Asian paintings dealer that operates online, will be showcasing their collection. A highlight is ‘Soldier with Flowers’ by Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Nghĩa Cương, which is priced at SGD2,223.
Porramet Jittaksan, ‘The garden where Venus and Mars can live together 1’, 2019, photography, 107 x 163cm. Image courtesy of Affordable Art Fair Singapore.
Apart from the stands, a long-standing feature of the fair is their Young Talent Programme (YTP) showcase. The YTP is a joint initiative between Affordable Art Fair Singapore and ION Art that provides young artists with mentorship and guidance throughout the programme period. This year, eight artists that have gone through the 2019 programme will exhibit at the fair: Singapore artists Louisa Violet, Zestro Leow, Shazwany Aziz, Nuridah Rostam, Daisy Toh, Thai artist Porramet Jittaksan and Penang artist Jakob Zuyten. Notable YTP alumni include Singapore artists Alecia Neo, Lavender Chang and Hilmi Johandi.
Visitors can also expect a range of programmes such as tours, performances and workshops that promote further understanding of art. This is aligned with the fair’s spirit of making art approachable for all regardless of one’s familiarity with the art world. The programming includes The Gingerbread Man performance by SRT’s The Little Company on 22 November and a pottery workshop with 3Arts Studio on 23 and 24 November.
Affordable Art Fair takes it role in cultivating a vibrant and diverse art market seriously. Through both the artists and artworks displayed and the wide target audience, it serves well as an entry-point for those who are unfamiliar, but hope to get acquainted with the Singapore art market.
A&M is an official media partner of Affordable Art Fair Singapore. The fair will take place from 22 to 24 November 2019. For more information, visit affordableartfair.com/fairs/singapore.
There will be a private viewing on 21 November 2019. A&M is glad to share 100 complimentary tickets for the private viewing. To redeem the tickets, click on this link.
