Exciting Fair Line Up of Art Stage Singapore 2014

Art Stage Singapore returns in 2014 for its 4th edition with a stronger than ever showing of galleries from Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, underscoring the fair’s core Asian identity. To date, Art Stage Singapore presents over 100 galleries, of which 80% are Asia Pacific-based galleries.A new fair format comprising eight country and regional Platforms to be introduced provides an experience of art in context and adds a new dimension to the fair’s artistic offerings. The Platforms include Southeast Asia, India, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Australia and Central Asia. Showcased in a museum-like exhibition layout, Art Stage Singapore collaborates with various art professionals such as curators and country advisers to guide the artist selection and exhibition presentation of the Platforms, offering art collectors and enthusiasts the opportunity to discover tomorrow’s leading lights.

“Art Stage Singapore 2014 will demonstrate how the fair has grown into THE match-making point for collectors, artists, gallerists, curators and art lovers in Asia. ‘WE ARE ASIA’ was a goal when I started the fair three years ago, but now it has become the fair’s true identity. Art Stage Singapore remains a loyal supporter of the promotion of contemporary art from the region by working with the best galleries and art professionals.” says Lorenzo Rudolf, Founder and Fair Director, Art Stage Singapore.

The eight country and regional Platforms are curated by experts of the respective arts scenes to guide the exhibition presentation and content of individual Platforms. Southeast Asia Platform, the largest among all, is curated by Art Stage Singapore in collaboration with six country advisers. Visitors will see newly commissioned projects from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand.

In the Southeast Asia Platform, featured projects include works by Singaporean artists Jane Lee (Sundaram Tagore Gallery), Chun Kai Feng (Fost Gallery), Sarah Choo and Jolene Lai (Galerie Sogan & Art), while their Malaysia counterpart will feature works of Haslin Ismail (G13 Gallery) and Justin Lim (Richard Koh Fine Art). From Myanmar, Yone Arts will premier works by artist Soe Naing, who will make a performance during the fair.  Filipino artist Mark Justiniani (The Drawing Room) and Thai artist Kamin Lertchaiprasert (Numthong Gallery) will also present two stunning mixed-media installations. Altogether, there will be around 25 projects in this Platform.

Other country Platforms are curated by appointed experts/curators from the respective market to offer a snapshot on the art scenes through 4 to 6 selected projects.  To highlight a couple, the China Platform curated by Huang Du, an internationally-known independent curator who has collaborated with numerous biennales, will present works by artists Zhang Xuerui (Purple Roof Art Gallery) and Liao Fei (Vanguard Gallery) while the Japan Platform, curated by Mami Kataoka, Chief Curator at the Mori Museum, will present works by Nobuhiro Nakanishi (Yumiko Chiba Associates).

The esteemed Platform curators, which include art professionals, critics and academics, are Aaron Seeto (Australia Platform), Huang Du (China Platform), Bose Krishnamachari (India Platform), Mami Kataoka (Japan Platform), Kim Sung Won (Korea Platform), Rudy Tseng (Taiwan Platform) and Charles Mereweather (Central Asia Platform). As for the Southeast Asia Platform, the respective country advisers are Roger Nelson (Cambodia), Jim Supangkat (Indonesia), Simon Soon (Malaysia), Isabel Ching (Myanmar), Patrick D Flores (Philippines) and Gridthiya Gaweewong (Thailand).

At Art Stage Singapore 2014, the list of exhibitors includes a high percentage of returning galleries in which most of them are Asia Pacific based. The presence of Singapore-based galleries is strongest ever with 29 galleries versus 22 in 2013. It is evident that the art market in Singapore continues to grow at a healthy and positive pace. Keep your eyes peeled on the following galleries – Arario Gallery (Seoul, Beijing, Cheonan), ARNDT (Singapore, Berlin), De Sarthe Gallery (Hong Kong), Gallery Hyundai (Seoul), Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo, Taipei, Berlin), Galerie Krinzinger (Vienna), Kukje Gallery (Seoul), Lin & Lin Gallery (Taipei, Beijing), Galerie Michael Janssen (Singapore, Berlin), Mizuma Gallery (Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing), Pearl Lam Galleries (Shanghai, Hong Kong), Galerie Perrotin (Hong Kong, Paris, New York), Tina Keng Gallery / TKG+ (Taipei, Beijing), White Cube (Hong Kong, London, São Paulo) and Yavuz Fine Art (Singapore).

As with previous years, the education and fringe programme at Art Stage Singapore is one of the fair’s major highlights. In the 2014 edition, fringe programmes will include engaging talks by artists and curators at the respective country and regional Platforms together with guided tours for visitors, conducted by professional art guides. Additionally, Art Stage Singapore will partner with various institutions and industry professionals such as Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) and LASALLE College of The Arts to offer an interesting selection of panel discussion, talks and activities that will run during the week of Art Stage Singapore.

Prominent chain of bookstores Page One will set up a pop-up store in the fair to offer visitors a handpicked selection of art and design titles, complementing the fair’s aim to educate and inspire. Also at the fair, a Partner’s Lounge presents corporates with the opportunity to host their guests and network with VIPs in a private space. A special evening programme will light up the nights from 15 to 17 at the Fair’s Vernissage, Singapore Biennale and Gillman Barracks, providing art enthusiasts with a glimpse of the expanding local art scene in Singapore, enhancing the overall art experience.