[SINGAPORE] Art collecting can be intimidating for many. But a handy new Singapore book titled Buy What You Love cuts through the jargon and complexity of the art world, offering practical advice and personal anecdotes to guide aspiring collectors on what to look for.
Published by art advisory Family Office For Art (or Fofa), it is written in accessible language and coupled with images. It demystifies the process of buying art by focusing on joy over judgment, love over labels, passion over profit, and storytelling over speculation, thus helping readers build a collection that resonates with their personal tastes.
The book starts with the fundamentals: What defines art? What makes one artwork more valuable than another? These are questions that seasoned collectors may take for granted, but they can feel overwhelming to newcomers.
As the chapters progress, Buy What You Love moves beyond theory to offer practical guidance on navigating museums, galleries, and fairs. For the reader who has started purchasing art, the book provides insights on how to display and live with the artworks, ensuring that each piece is appreciated to its fullest.
Notably, this is not a book about investing in art for profit. There is little discussion of reselling, divesting, or auction houses. Instead, the book’s core message is clear: “Collect what you love, keep what you buy, and pass it down to the next generation.” (It’s a credo that the book’s publisher Fofa, founded by long-time collector Chong Huai Seng and his daughter Ning, clearly live by.)
The last section of the book features interviews with Singapore collectors – ranging from lawyers and an architect to business folk – who aren’t chasing trends or quick financial returns. They buy art out of a deep personal connection, driven by curiosity, passion, and the sheer joy of discovery. They encourage readers to trust their instincts and surround themselves with pieces that truly speak to them.
Of course, anyone who’s been collecting art for some time might baulk at the idea of ignoring market realities, where art prices are constantly shaped by shifting trends, incredible price volatility, and the outsized influence of certain tastemakers and institutions. Buy What You Love clearly isn’t a book for them – but for the novice who values personal connection over prestige and provenance.
Buy What You Live: Your Handbook To Collecting Art is on sale for S$25 at The Private Museum, Objectifs and fofa.asia/shop
