Behind the scenes at hotel art fair
by Teng Jing Xuan
Today, Art Apart Fair founder Rosalind Lim took reporters on an interactive tour of one of Singapore’s newest art attractions – an annual hotel art fair coinciding with the Singapore International Jewellery Expo.
More than 20 galleries from across the world are participating in this year’s art fair, and 18 rooms on the 6th floor of the newly opened PARKROYAL on Pickering hotel have been transformed into mini-galleries showcasing the collections of each exhibitor.
Some rooms are casually decorated with paintings and sculptures that blend seamlessly with the décor, giving the visitor the impression of having stepped into an art lover’s elegant apartment. Other rooms have every available surface covered with objects that shout out for attention – a feast for the eyes.
Most of the art works featured at the fair are by emerging stars, with the notable exception of a soup can label autographed by Andy Warhol, brought in by Jorge & Fernando Alcolea Gallery (Spain). Highlights include local artist LIYU’s digital collages composed of images from Singapore money and Spanish artist Juan Escauriaza’s photo-realistic paintings of American landscapes, which convey a stillness and sense of alienation that reminds viewers of early 20th century artist Edward Hopper.
Several artists have been flown in to talk to visitors about their work. Among them was veteran Korean painter Jung Kang Ja, who spoke a little to us on the impact of social and political changes on her career. She has been painting for fifty years.
The hotel fair format is fairly new to the Asian art scene, despite being a 20-year-old tradition in cities like New York. Visitors to Art Apart will be able to take part in an auction of art works and artist-painted boxes of fine wine, and a lucky draw for five paintings, all by Korean artists. Part of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
Art Apart Fair runs from 5th to 7th July 2013. It is open daily from 12.30pm to 8.30pm, and is located on the 6th floor of PARKROYAL on Pickering, at 3 Upper Pickering St. For more information, please visit http://www.artapartfair.com/.
