PRESS RELEASE


ARTSingapore 2001
will boost Singapore’s position as
Leading Centre for Asian Art

Singapore, 26 April 2001 – The Art Galleries Association (Singapore), (AGA), today announced the launch of ARTSingapore 2001, the world’s premier contemporary Asian art fair. Following the success of the inaugural launch last year, ARTSingapore 2001 looks set to be the crowning jewel in the region’s 2001 art calendar. Catching the Asian wave at the right time, the fair will feed the growing appetite for Asian art. .

“Asia is enjoying a new cultural renaissance. It is producing a new generation of world class filmmakers, musicians, painters, writers, dancers, designers, actors, etc. There is also growing interest in Asians about Asian art as well as of the West in the East. ARTSingapore 2001 will showcase some of Asia’s best artists,” said Professor Tommy Koh, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-large and Patron of the Fair..

Fair Director and President of AGA Mr Chua Soo Bin said, “Our inaugural fair last year received much interest and encouragement which strongly affirmed our belief that we have successfully identified a void in the market. Last year, more than 9,000 international and local art connoisseurs, collectors and auction season patrons thronged the five-day fair. We hope to attract at least 15,000 visitors from around the world this year.”

He added, “With strong support from the Singapore Tourism Board, ARTSingapore aims to position Singapore as the focal point for galleries from the region to exhibit and trade and to strengthen Singapore’s reputation as a leading centre for Asian art. At the same time, we hope to discover and nurture young Asian talents and promote the established artists.”

ARTSingapore 2001 promises to be a bigger and more prestigious affair with a bigger venue and stronger international presence. To date, 15 local and foreign galleries have signed up and more are expected to jump on the bandwagon over the next few weeks. More than half of last year’s exhibitors will also be returning to the fair. The fair presents an excellent opportunity for networking with the art dealers, collectors, artists, enthusiasts as well as new buyers in the region.

Some of the Singapore galleries participating in this year’s fair include Art-2, Art Forum, Gajah Gallery, Plum Blossoms Gallery and SooBin Art Gallery. At present, the foreign galleries taking part in ARTSingapore 2001 are Art Space from Japan, Hwa’s Gallery from China and The Myanmar Gallery of Contemporary Art. The fair organisers hope to include more international representatives.

ARTSingapore 2001 will also be held at a bigger venue – at the Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. There will be bigger booths this year based on feedback from last year's participants.

Visitors can expect a real visual treat with its showcase of myriad paintings and other two-dimensional works, sculptures and ceramics representing Asia’s finest contemporary artists and artworks. Another main draw of this year’s fair is an installation by renowned artist Mr Tang Da Wu. A series of talks and workshops on various topics of art collection and preservation will also be conducted throughout the five-day fair to promote greater understanding and appreciation of Asian art.