The inaugural edition of Singapore Contemporary closed on a high note on Sunday evening January 24th, with eager art collectors and enthusiasts still filling the 6,000-square-meter hall as the event closed at 6pm. More than 16,000 visitors from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries attended the four-day fair at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Local, expatriate and overseas visitors praised the wide selection of accessible and collectable works on offer, including original paintings, limited editions, sculpture and photography. “I came, I saw, I acquired…and looking forward to the next edition in 2017,” said local collector and permanent resident Oliver Bancalana, who works for Singapore Airlines. Another local collector James Foo noted: “I found Singapore Contemporary to be very welcoming for young collectors, with a really interesting selection from many parts of the world.”
Observed Show Director Douwe Cramer: “We are delighted with the outcome of our inaugural edition, and impressed with the strong interest in contemporary art from collectors in Singapore and the region. The feedback from both our many thousands of visitors and 65 exhibitors from 15 countries in Asia and worldwide has been very encouraging. The second edition of Singapore Contemporary is scheduled for January 19 – 22, 2017, again at Suntec, and will feature more than 90 exhibiting galleries and art installations. We look forward to working with galleries, artists, public art institutions and the government to become a deeply integrated and a valuable long-term player in Singapore’s art ecosystem, and to play our part in helping make Singapore Art Week an increasingly important event on the Asian art calendar. We are firm believers that Singapore will continue to grow as the arts hub for Southeast Asia, just as Hong Kong is the hub for northern part of the region. We are pleased to have the opportunity to participate in, and I hope stimulate and facilitate, that growth.”
Long-established Singaporean gallery Utterly Art was very pleased with their participation in Singapore Contemporary. Said Gallery Director Kenneth Tan: “We have achieved very healthy sales and are very encouraged. The show is a good size with a really workable layout and nicely spaced booths so everyone can get around easily. The show should develop strongly from here – we look forward to participating again next January!”
Singapore Contemporary 2017 Dates: January 19 – 22, 2017
Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
Opening Hours:
VIP Program: Private View (by invitation only) Thursday January 19, 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Vernissage (by invitation only) Thursday January 20, 5.30pm – 9pm
General Admission Friday January 20, 12 noon – 9pm, Saturday January 21, 11am – 7pm, Sunday January 22, 11am – 6pm
