No need to break the bank to buy good art. Affordable Art Fair fair director Alan Koh picks these wallet-friendly pieces by up-and-coming artists.
No need to break the bank to buy good art. Affordable Art Fair fair director Alan Koh picks these wallet-friendly pieces by up-and-coming artists.
1. MY DEAR CASTLE (2015) BY SARAH TSE, FROM ARTIFY GALLERY
Cyanotype and etching, Edition of 12; 22cm (H) x 30cm (W); $630
Why buy it: Sarah specialises in pencil drawings on paper, and her style has been described as everything from whimsical to sensual (Alan describes it as “surrealistic” and “figurative”). No matter what you glean from her work, the drawings, often inspired by childhood memories, personal travels and dreams, are visually stunning, intricate and beautiful.
The Hong Kong-born, New York-based artist made Hong Kong art and design magazine Perspective’s 40 Under 40 list in 2011, which sealed her place as one of the most creative individuals under 40 in Asia. The 32-year-old has exhibited around the world in international art fairs such as London Art Fair, Taipei Art Expo and the Scoop Art Fair New York.
2. THE RUNNER (2) (2016) BY SHWE THEIN, FROM RIVER GALLERY
Acrylic on canvas; 46cm (H) x 61cm (W); $900
Why buy it: “Myanmar has many talented artists. With the country opening its doors, there’s been a greater tolerance of the arts,” says Alan. “Burmese artists are becoming more well known, both abroad and locally.”
Painter Shwe Thein stands out for his vibrant paintings of sampans from his native state of Rakhine. Trained by local masters such as Mon Thet (who’s renowned for his still-life paintings of blossoms) when he studied at the prestigious State School of Fine Art (Yangon, Myanmar), Shwe Thein has exhibited all over Myanmar. According to Alan, his works “convey a Buddhist state of mind of beauty and serenity, which never goes out of style”.
3. UNTITLED (2016) BY SHIN HYUNG LOC, FROM NINE GALLERY
Acrylic on resin; 12cm (H) x 12cm (W); $970
Why buy it: “[South Korean artist] Shin Hyung Loc’s works are created by painstakingly layering acrylic paint in resin to form hyperrealistic and lifelike fishes swimming in various vessels. The use of just one colour but in various tones [to paint the fish] showcases how good his skills are,” enthuses Alan. “To me, [the work] has a zen-like quality that calms your senses whenever you look at it.”
Hyung Loc started exhibiting his works in 2009, at the age of 22, and has since showcased at the Affordable Art Fair in New York, Dubai Art Fair and the 2015 edition of the Affordable Art Fair in Singapore.
The spring edition of Affordable Art Fair Singapore 2017 is held from April 7 to 9, at the F1 Pit Building. Tickets start at $18. For more information, visit http://www.affordableartfair.com/singapore.
