by Helmi Yusof, Lifestyle Correspondent
Chong Huai Seng fell in love with art collecting in 1980s London. Back then, he was the Managing Director of Vickers Da Costa Securities in Singapore and later John Govett (Asia), and had to shuttle between London and Singapore. Whilst in London, he spent his weekends strolling through galleries and museums, and began acquiring works by mostly Western artists such as Sydney Harpley and Sergei Chepik.
Over more than three decades, Mr Chong has seen his taste evolve and expand dramatically, moving from figurative to abstract, and from European to Chinese to Singapore and Southeast Asian. He says: “Your taste changes as you learn more about art and expose yourself to the aesthetics of different regions. In the past decade, I started collecting more Singapore art – you could say I’m returning to my roots.”
When he started collecting, little did he imagine that he would one day turn his budding passion into a business venture. But last month, he and his daughter Ning launched The Culture Story, a space for artists, patrons, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to gather and discuss art. The Culture Story offers art consultancy services, helping new and seasoned collectors with art acquisition, and asset and inventory management.
Ms Chong says: “The space we’ve created in The Culture Story harks back to the popular Paris salons of the early 1900s when artists, intellectuals and other influential figures gathered to discuss various matters of the day. We’re inspired by the Paris salon of collector Gertrude Stein and her brother Leo which attracted Picasso, Matisse, Hemingway and others. With The Culture Story, we want to re-introduce the concept of the art salon in Singapore so that like-minded individuals can come together to discover, discuss and collect new artists and their works. Appreciating art is not reserved for the elite – we encourage friends to bring their friends.”
Located in the industrial building of Thye Hong Centre on Leng Kee Road, The Culture Story plans to hold talks, screenings, exhibitions and casual get-togethers, surrounded by some choice works from the Chongs’ collection.
To date, the collection has over 300 pieces from approximately 30 countries, including local works by Cheong Soo Pieng, Chua Mia Tee, Iskandar Jalil, Han Sai Por and Wong Keen. Some of the more unusual pieces include a rare painting created by married couple Anthony Chua and Hong Sek Chern, who don’t typically paint together.
The Chongs also have gorgeous abstracts by Filipino master Augusto Albor which were showcased at the 2015 Venice Biennale. They have a large canvas of Russian ballerino Rudolf Nureyev executed by Chepik, as well as a rare bronze bust by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. They have a couple of priceless works on which they decline to go on record.
Mr Chong says: “I find art-collecting extremely fulfilling instead of, say, watch- or car-collecting. For me, each artwork that I purchase has a story to tell. They become markers of a moment in my life, or the life of the artist. They’re also markers of the cultural and political times. That’s why I prefer art to other collectibles… To wit, I have been wearing the same Rolex watch since I was a young man.”
Though most of the works from their collection are not for sale, a few may be in the near future, as the Chongs decide which works to divest so as to bring a sharper focus to their collection. But Mr Chong admits: “We’ve sold works from which we made more than 10 times their original prices. But my heart breaks each time I sell – I wish I hadn’t.”
