Singapore’s Affordable Art Fair returns with 14 first-time galleries and tighter curation

Charmaine Lim, The Straits Times, Wednesday 25th October 2023

Affordable Art Fair returns for its 14th year, bringing back galleries which have participated since the beginning and new galleries from around the world.
PHOTO: AFFORDABLE ART FAIR



Created at Wednesday Oct 25, 2023

SINGAPORE – Affordable Art Fair returns with a bigger space and a tightly curated list of 81 galleries, 14 of which are first-timers.

Fair director Alan Koh says the curation is done by a committee “made up of industry partners and our team members from the global fair teams”.

He adds: “We review the artist’s practical training, education or mentors if they’re self-taught. For galleries, we look at their background and how many exhibitions they’ve done.”

Spread over 1,887 sq m, 2023’s 14th edition is slightly bigger than 2022’s 1,750 sq m and 80 galleries.

“We have more space, so each gallery can have a bigger table. With that, you also get a better presentation,” says Mr Koh, 40.

Taking place at the F1 Pit Building from Nov 10 to 12, the three-day art fair is an entry point for patrons looking to buy their first art pieces from up-and-coming and established galleries and artists.

Mr Koh says: “36 per cent of our galleries are local and 64 per cent are international. I would say about 80 per cent are from Asia and 20 per cent are from the rest of the world.”

Singapore and Hong Kong have the most newcomer galleries, at six and four respectively.

Since the art fair began in Singapore 13 years ago, six galleries – Gnani Arts, Astrid Dahl Studio Gallery, Bruno Art Gallery, Quantum Contemporary Art, Redsea Gallery and Utterly Art – have participated in every edition, save for in 2020 and 2021 when the fair was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“If we have 100 galleries, which we had in 2013, it’s great for revenue because we’re like landlords renting out space. But we need to make sure these galleries and artists do well too. In order to do that, we curated 81 galleries to see what the market’s reaction is,” says Mr Koh.

The upcoming fair may also be a good time to buy big-ticket items such as art, ahead of the goods and services tax (GST) hike from 8 to 9 per cent on Jan 1.

However, Mr Koh is not worried about patrons tightening their purse strings after the GST hike.

“We are doing our best to bring in new visitors who are buying their first piece of art with us. There have been influxes of expats as well, but we still want our returning visitors to support these galleries. As long as we maintain the strategy of keeping the galleries fresh, I think we will see a constant appetite for buying art,” he says.

As the name implies, the fair focuses on bringing in galleries and art collectives to sell their works at an affordable price – 75 per cent of the artworks are priced under $7,500, while the remaining pieces are capped at $15,000.

Mr Koh says: “People have the misconception that art is very expensive, but real prices of $2,000 is something we can afford. The fair breaks the barrier of asking questions.”

More than 15,000 visitors attended Affordable Art Fair in 2022

More than 15,000 visitors attended Affordable Art Fair in 2022, spending more than $4.5 million on art. PHOTO: AFFORDABLE ART FAIR

A variety of art forms will be available, such as sculptures, photography, paintings and limited-edition prints. One artist to look out for is Singaporean sculptor Victor Tan, who is blind.

Galleries of note include Singapore’s newly opened Whitestone Gallery, Australian gallery Sarah Birtles and Chinese gallery Cospace.

Home-grown art education company Art Wonderland, known for its family-friendly programmes, will conduct role-playing and self-exploration activities for children using puppets and lights. The creative workshop is free, while the mini theatre show is $15.

Visual Arts Centre, the fair’s education partner, will run complimentary and paid workshops for painting and design, and donate the proceeds to official charity partner Singapore Cancer Society. Paid workshop prices begin at $35.

Affordable Art Fair began in London in 1999 and arrived in Singapore in 2010. This is one of 10 international locations, and two more fairs in Shanghai and Berlin are in the pipeline.

In 2022, the Singapore edition attracted 15,000 visitors and enjoyed $4.5 million in sales, a unicorn year marking the fair’s return after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Book it/Affordable Art Fair

Where: F1 Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard
When: Nov 10 to 12, 11am to 6pm on Friday and Sunday, 11am to 7pm on Saturday
Admission: From $22
Info: affordableartfair.com/fairs/singapore

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Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

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Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”
World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]
A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
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Terms & Conditions – Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party (Saturday Sessions Only)

  1. Participation
    • Participation in the Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party is voluntary. By participating, all participants acknowledge that they understand and accept the nature of the activities and agree to participate at their own risk.
  2. Health & Safety
    • The event takes place in an outdoor festival environment featuring bright lighting effects, flashing lights, amplified music, and high sound levels, which may not be suitable for individuals who are sensitive to light, sound, or have related medical conditions.
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      • Understand the nature of the activity and voluntarily choose to participate.
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