Of Dreams and Contemplation: I am All but a Story – Selections from the Collection of Richard Koh

Natee Utarit, The Green, 2008, Oil on canvas, 255 x 195 cm. Photo courtesy of Richard Koh Fine Art and artist

Of Dreams and Contemplation: I am All but a Story – Collection of Richard Koh, showcases Richard Koh’s personal art collection in Singapore, from 9 January to 9 March 2025. This exhibition, coinciding with Singapore Art Week 2025, marks the second time Koh’s private collection will be presented at The Private Museum, offering audiences a fresh glimpse into his evolving journey as a collector and gallerist.

In 2019, Koh’s first showcase at The Private Museum, Of Dreams and Contemplation: Selections from the Collection of Richard Koh, offered an intimate look at 33 works from over 20 years of collecting. Now, Of Dreams and Contemplation: I am All but a Story – Collection of Richard Koh builds upon that narrative, presenting a new selection of works that reflect Koh’s personal interactions with contemporary art and the artists he deeply admires.

Collected with a focus on memory and emotion, Koh’s private collection reveals his preference for minimalist and abstract works that evoke specific personal moments—what he often calls “Landscapes of Memory” is highly personal, rooted in the emotional resonance each piece holds for him. From Southeast Asia to the international art world, these works reflect his private journey, delving into art, life, and memory.

As founder of Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA), Koh has been a significant figure in shaping the Southeast Asian art market for over two decades. His gallery, with locations in Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, has championed contemporary artists from the region and beyond. The collaboration between RKFA and The Private Museum on this project underscores Koh’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful dialogues between collectors, artists, and the public.

This exhibition invites viewers to explore Koh’s deeply personal collection, offering a rare insight into the mind of a veteran gallerist who has spent much of his career promoting the works of others while quietly building a collection of his own.