The Affordable Art Fair Singapore and ION Art collaborate for the fourth year running, to recognise, promote and nuture the careers of exceptional young artists while providing an excellent source for art dealers and collectors to gain access to fresh works from the region. Complementing the fair’s core mission of supporting young artists, still within the infancy of their careers, the Young Talent Programme (YTP) gives emerging artists, below the age of 35, who are residing in Southeast Asia, the chance to showcase their works on the international stage.
Since it’s inception, the fair has showcased 21 artists at the November editions and many winners, such as Alecia Neo and Lavender Chang, have subsequently gone on to exhibit at the Singapore Art Museum and the National Museum of Singapore, as well as at some of Singapore’s more prestigious art galleries. Several have also been nominated for Singapore’s most coveted photography award, the Icon de Martell Cordon Bleu in 2013 and 2014.
This year’s Young Talent Programme Winners’ Solo Exhibitions will feature three solo exhibitions – At Source 根源 by Ezekiel Wong Kel Win (Malaysia); The Quest: The Exquisite Rice Bowl by Zhang Fuming (Singapore) and Hunger by Khin Thethtar Latt, the YTP’s first Myanmar artist.
The exhibitions At Source 根源 and The Quest: The Exquisite Rice Bowl both explore the concept of life, the concept of social behaviors and the individual against the realities and applications of modern art. Both co-incidentally have taken up the twin positions of cartoon drawings respectively, these being the main mediums used by social commentators in the 1950s to the 1970s Singapore broadsheets. Hunger is a powerful photographic dissertation of a society’s cry against political strongholds with characters that are representative of past, present and future ideologists.
Mr Chris Chong, Chief Executive of Orchard Turn Developments said: “For three consecutive years, the Young Talent Programme has continued to develop young talents in art, offering these aspiring artists a differentiated venue to progress their career. It is encouraging to see many of our alumni continue their pursuit of excellence in the arts as a source of inspiration to young practitioners. ION Orchard continues to open up our exhibition spaces and resources to new artistic talent within the city and beyond as we grow and build our ION Art initiative. We are excited to work with the Affordable Art Fair Singapore to develop the programme into one of the most significant platforms for emerging artists in South-East Asia.”
The YTP showcase at ION Art will be held from September 2 – 22, 2015 with tours hosted by artists every Saturday (3.00pm to 4.00pm) and Sunday (3.00pm to 4.00pm).
Also announcing the Affordable Art Fair’s sixth Autumn edition this November 12 – 15, the fair will showcase an inspiring Art Education Space with an innovative approach to learning including gallery-led discussions that aim to help visitors discover more about contemporary art in a fun and engaging manner, as well as new concepts such as live visual mapping of the education programme by artistic collective Band of Doodlers.
To be held at the F1 Pit Building, the fair expects more than 80 galleries and 600 artists. The galleries – 40% from Singapore, 70% from Asia and 30% from the rest of the world with 15% participating for the first time, will showcase new and emerging artists alongside established artists with a diverse selection of contemporary artworks, across a variety of styles from abstract to figurative, and a range of art forms including paintings, sculpture and photography.
All priced between S$100 to S$10,000, with 75 per cent of the works priced under S$7,500, the November edition will showcase works by well-known stars Lim Tze Peng from Singapore and Toko Shinoda from Japan, as well as up-and-coming artists such as Zhao Xiaodan from China and Aung Htoo from Myannmar, who has also shown at Art Basel Miami. New galleries will include Asian Art Platform from Singapore and The Yangon Gallery from Myannmar.
The fair brings back the ‘Under S$1,000 Wall’ by popular demand. Presented with a stylish twist this November, the platform encourages visitors to take art home by offering contemporary artwork to fit everyone’s budget.
“Since we first expanded to Asia in 2010, the fair has gained the trust of galleries, artists and the public, and gradually earned the reputation of being one of the key art educators in Singapore. We hope to continue doing what we do best – that is, educating and engaging existing and new art collectors, while ensuring a relaxed, friendly and fun-filled family affair,” said Fair Director (Autumn) & Regional Managing Director, Asia, Mrs Camilla Hewitson.
Backed by main sponsor DBS Bank, Mr Royce Teo, Regional Head of DBS Treasures Private Client and DBS Treasures, said , “Following the success of previous fairs in Singapore and Hong Kong, we have received positive feedback from our clients who really enjoyed the private previews, among other exclusive privileges. As a leading wealth manager in the region, we are always looking at expanding our sponsorship platforms and are committed to engaging our clients. With our deep client insights and the ability to develop strategic partnerships, we are able to offer our clients interesting programmes and events that are relevant to their lifestyle needs.”
Visitors will have their choice of comfortable nooks to relax and consider art purchases – they can have an ice cold beer by Peroni Bar, enjoy light snacks at Bistro 1855, and savour a hot cup of freshly-brewed coffee by Common Man Coffee Roasters.
