“Art is not merely about aesthetics or being provocative, behind every collected work of art lies an anecdotal encounter between the collector and the artist or the artwork” – Mr Chong Huai Seng
Below is the English summary of the Chinese interview which can be found on zaobao.com.sg. For the full article, please click here.
In Lianhe Zaobao (联合早报)’s Sunday edition on 30th August 2017, co-founder of The Culture Story, Chong Huai Seng, shares his journey as an art collector. Like any other young collector, Chong started buying art in a way not too dissimilar from a tourist buying souvenirs as a keepsake of his travels. The years of experience, exposure, in-depth reading, and readily accessible information on the internet however, has shaped Chong into an astute collector aware of his own sensibilities and perceptions towards art. Unlike many who bought art as an investment, Chong consumed and collected art. Over the years, collecting eventually became an accumulation of asset. Alongside the personal growth, his preferences have also changed. From an interest in Western works while in the 1990s , Chong’s frequent travels to China eventually led him to take interest in Chinese ink works in the early 2000s. While at it, he helped to establish the China Art Foundation in 2003 and ploughed efforts into promoting and supporting Chinese ink artists. After returning to Singapore, Chong turned to collecting works by Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists such as Hilmi Johandi, Wong Keen, Siew Hock Meng, Lee Boon Wang and Filipino artist Augusto Albor.
From the outset, Chong took an interest in collecting works by lesser known artists but were no less powerful in striking a personal resonance. While it is easier to find concurrence on opinions towards famous artworks, the works of lesser known artists require an intimate understanding of the artwork and the artists. It is with this sincerity that Chong collects art. With earnestness, Chong seeks to understand and develop a personal relation with each piece of work. He believes that a collector need to take risks, develop their own individuality and aesthetic sensibility, and prioritize works that contain social commentaries.
