Kicking off the 2025 art fair calendar, ART SG will return to the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore for its third edition on January 17, with a VIP preview on January 16. This year, the show features 106 exhibitors from in 30 countries and locations, including major galleries such as Gagosian, White Cube and Thaddaeus Ropac. Other international players strengthening their Asian presence—Lehmann Maupin, Neugerriemschneider, Galerie Gisela Capitain, Annely Juda Fine Art, Goodman Gallery and PPOW—will also appear.
Singapore has seen phenomenal growth over the past decade with impressive wealth accumulation. Strategically positioned in the region—and maintaining a neutral position between China and the US—it is Asia's most stable financial center. The numbers don't lie: the country's family offices have grown significantly from 400 in 2020 to 1,650 in 2024, driven by favorable tax policies and a business-friendly environment. Add in Singapore's growth as a powerful tech hub—a government-backed ecosystem with global entrepreneurs and investors flocking to capitalize on the crypto and other markets—and it's clear why the city is short-lived.
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On the other hand, the art scene remains modest in comparison. Although Singapore's gallery and artist ecosystem has not reached the level of Asian powerhouses such as Hong Kong or Seoul, it has been gaining ground through strategic investment. Chief among these was the opening of the National Gallery of Singapore in 2015, now known for its dynamic programming. Long-standing local players like STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, which has been operating for more than two decades, have been joined by a new wave of emerging galleries and familiar names expanding into the city, such as Woaw Gallery (with roots in Hong Kong and Beijing).
With a quick approach, the Observer spoke to Magnus Renfrew, founder of ART SG and founder of The Art Assembly, an organization that supports ART SG and a wide portfolio of exhibitions in the region including Taipei Dangdai, India Art Fair, Sydney Contemporary. , PHOTOS Shanghai and Tokyo Gendai.
Speaking to Renfrew, it is clear that ART SG's desire is to file its claim as i the premier fair for Singapore—and the benchmark for the entire region. “Singapore is the host city for the show, but we have a strong representation of galleries across Southeast Asia,” Renfrew said. He is quick to remind us of a fact that people often gloss over: The scale of Southeast Asia. “Southeast Asia has 650 million people. It is the size of Europe,” he told the Observer. “For us, common sense dictates that a place of that scale deserves one major international art exhibition, especially considering that today it is home to many of the fastest growing economies in the world. I think the rise of the show will be part of the growing stories of Southeast Asia and Singapore. “
This year, Art SG has taken steps to strengthen its cultural ties, partnering with four historic institutions spanning Singapore and the wider Southeast Asian region: Bangkok Kunsthalle, Delfina Foundation (London), M Art Foundation (Hong Kong, Singapore) and Art Outreach. (Singapore). The result is a dynamic program that extends beyond the walls of the fair, spreading across the city and encompassing the region as a whole. Purpose? In order to increase enjoyment it has become the region's most important platform for exchange, education and promotion of the South Asian art scene which is not only booming but very important—and to connect with the growing wave of local art collectors.
The film section, ART SG FILM, will be hosted by Stefano Rabolli Pansera, director of the Bangkok Kunsthalle, with the theme “For Artists, For Artists.” The program features films and video works by artists alongside films that explore the artists' lives—a mix designed to entertain and educate. Film programs, Renfrew explains, are strategic tools for engaging a new generation, making contemporary art less intimidating and more accessible. It's a sentiment echoed by Angelle Siyang-Le when discussing the Art Basel Hong Kong film program. “We want to be an inclusive exhibition and encourage younger generations to participate, but also, for everyone, to see different types of art and have the opportunity to learn more about other artists through documentaries,” said Renfrew.
At the same time, ART SG inspires the next generation of art professionals. Its partnership with Art Outreach (Singapore) has been instrumental in training young talent, offering work opportunities to those eager to gain experience in the international art world. “We're giving ourselves the opportunity to experience what it's like to work at an international art fair and work with an international gallery,” explained Renfrew. “It is an ongoing process; we've been doing that since last year, and we've found that some galleries keep those contacts and will work with the same people in this category. It's a great way to connect with people.”
Additionally, ART SG will collaborate this year with the Delfina Foundation of London in a series of talks aimed at promoting effective fundraising and philanthropic practices in Singapore – an institution with huge untapped potential to cultivate a deep base of collectors among high net worth individuals (HNWIs). ). Getting caught? Many need training and education to navigate the art industry with confidence. “In a situation where we are looking to increase the number of listeners, it is important to provide those opportunities. Those discussions will allow us to share a lot of information about best practices among collectors and look at different ways of collecting,” explains Renfrew.
In other words, Singapore may have an impressive concentration of HNWIs, but getting them to open their creative wallets is a real challenge. Renfrew, however, is equal parts realistic and optimistic: “You're right that money doesn't necessarily mean a market, but it's also true that no market means no market… I've been seeing an increase in hoarding in Singapore itself, slowly. inspired by newcomers who have been collecting before, and I think that adds a lot to the conversation and energy.”
While nurturing and educating local collectors is a clear priority, Renfrew also falls back on the broader desire to establish ART SG as a place to promote art throughout the region. “I think education is very important for both parties,” he explained. “We also want to give visitors from outside Southeast Asia an opportunity to learn about the diverse cultural scenes of Southeast Asia.”
When asked about ART SG's position within the Art Assembly's portfolio of regional exhibitions, Renfrew is quick to emphasize Singapore's role as a key hub: “All of our different exhibitions play to the strengths of the specific locations where they take place. We launched ART SG to cater to different audiences, on a scale that will really help expand the audience, especially in Southeast Asia, but also allow people to rediscover some of the great things happening in Southeast Asia.”
Renfrew's confidence about Singapore's potential has not changed, especially since the focus has shifted from the Asia Pacific to the Indo-Pacific. “If it can't really say that it is the capital of the Asia Pacific, it is the complete center of the Indo-Pacific,” he said. “Historically, it has always stood on the Maritime Silk Route between India and China.” Singapore's unique history, combined with centuries of cultural and economic exchange, positions it as a meeting place for all people. “I think Singapore is on a very good path in general. And I think the art markets in Singapore will benefit from that broader Singapore story, which I'm sure will continue in the next five or 10 years.” He points to Singapore's neutrality as a strategic advantage especially amid growing US-China tensions.
Of course, no art hub thrives on optimism alone. South Korea offers a clear lesson: a successful transition requires strong cultural policies and strong public support. To this end, ART SG has spent the past three years strengthening relationships with key government agencies that share its vision of growing Singapore's cultural scene. “We are very grateful for the warm welcome we have received and the spirit of cooperation that all government agencies, the Tourism Board, the National Arts Council—and all the institutions have been very welcoming to our guests,” added Renfrew. . “I think there is a real sense that we are all pulling in the same direction for the same purpose, to raise the profile of Singapore and Southeast Asia.”
