How One Collector Is Shaping The Legacy Of Singaporean Art

As Singapore marks six decades of nationhood, few individuals embody the intertwined story of the country’s rise and its evolving art landscape as compellingly as Chong Huai Seng—investor, cultural patron and cofounder with his daughter, Ning, of The Culture Story, a boutique art consultancy and private art space. An art collector since the 1990s, Chong has become an influential force in shaping the visibility, appreciation and future of Singaporean art. His landmark exhibition “Artist’s Proof: Singapore at 60” at Tanjong Pagar Distripark crystallized his longstanding belief that private collectors play a vital role in expanding art historical narratives, championing artists across generations and preserving perspectives that art institutions alone cannot. In this candid conversation, Chong reflects on the power of personal collections, the artists who have shaped his journey and why supporting new creative voices is essential to Singapore’s cultural future.

 

Private collections inherently reflect the individual tastes and visions of their owners, often showcasing art that might challenge conventional art historical interpretations and narratives, or highlight artists and movements that institutions might not have fully embraced. When shared publicly, these collections can introduce fresh perspectives and broaden the understanding of Singapore’s art history. This was exactly our goal for “Artist’s Proof: Singapore at 60”, which sought to offer alternative and critical perspectives on the Singapore story, told through art.

 

My collection is indeed as varied as you described and features artists across generations and diverse artistic practices. I’ve collected works by luminaries such as Cultural Medallion recipients Chua Mia Tee and Lee Wen, globally established figures like Ming Wong and John Clang, as well as exciting new voices like Israfil Ridhwan, Loi Cai Xiang, Ng Joon Kiat and Hilmi Johandi. Though my connection to each work varies, my collecting is driven by an insatiable curiosity for good art, a drive that extends beyond established names. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to identify, cultivate and support exciting emerging talents.

 

I felt compelled to mark our nation’s 60th anniversary through art because, for me, art welcomes diverse perspectives and offers new ways of reflecting on our history. This exhibition showcases my personal collection of Singapore art, with many pieces beautifully framing and tracing our country’s incredible leap from a third- to first-world nation in just one generation. As someone who’s part of the Merdeka generation, my own life has mirrored Singapore’s progress in many ways. For instance, my career journey from working in the financial sector and then as an entrepreneur unfolded alongside Singapore’s growth. Along the way, however, I also fell in love with art and began collecting in the 1990s. Thus, for this milestone anniversary, it felt right to combine my deep affection for Singapore and my passion for art, creating a landmark exhibition that pays homage to our country and honors our founding fathers for their immense sacrifices.

 

There’s no doubt in my mind that art is an exceptionally crucial tool for shaping Singapore’s collective memory and national identity. The exhibition, featuring over 90 artworks by more than 50 artists—most of which I’ve collected over the past decade—powerfully demonstrated this. Within these pieces, you discover reflections of Singapore’s development, a charting of our art history, critical perspectives on pertinent contemporary issues and profound explorations of what it means to be Singaporean told through each artist’s unique perspective. Therein lies art’s immense beauty and power: it serves as a vital conduit for documenting pivotal moments and lived experiences, while simultaneously providing an invaluable platform for diverse viewpoints to be expressed and debated.

 

It was actually our first time commissioning works specifically for an exhibition! My daughter Ning had surfaced the idea to me during the early stages of organizing “Artist’s Proof: Singapore at 60”, as it would open up possibilities for engaging with the show’s core themes. While it marked a departure from what we usually do as collectors, I was immediately on board, as supporting and nurturing local talent, particularly the younger generation, is incredibly important to me as we envision a sustainable future for the arts in Singapore. Commissioning allows us to move beyond mere patronage and become direct catalysts for creation.