See You In A Bid

Tell us more about what you do as an art auctioneer, and how you first got into this field.
I deal contemporary art at a South Korean auction house, Seoul Auction. Previously, I studied photography and contemporary art theory, so this was a natural career choice for me.

As it happens, I’m in Singapore for four days—as sort of a work holiday—to attend Art Week.

How do you find this year’s edition of Singapore Art Week?
So far so good—the whole event is well-organised with many great art fairs and exhibitions. I really enjoy seeing more Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, and new artists too. I’ll definitely be coming back next year!

What other countries have you travelled to? Tell us your favourite.
Due to the nature of my work, I visit many different cities, recent ones being Hong Kong, Taiwan, and London.

I like exploring new cultures and was especially impressed by the Venice art scene. In the 2022 Venice Biennale, I saw different types of art and artists from all over the world. Furthermore, the artworks explore the society we live in and talk about diverse issues from politics to the environment.

How do you like to enjoy the arts?
I used to do photography, but not anymore. In my free time, I visit many galleries to view my friends’ works and explore new artists. I even collect some artworks myself to support young artists.

Other than that, I prefer being the middleman between artists and society through my work.

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to budding artists?
Before even thinking about creating any kind of art, focus on developing your thoughts and ideas—to me, that’s more important than skill. So while you’re taking inspiration from the art around you, be careful not to copy others.

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P.S. Enjoy free admission to the Singapore Biennale 2022 at Tanjong Pagar Distripark till 19th March 2023—your last chance to do so!