Why Now Is The Moment To Buy Southeast Asian Contemporary Art

As Southeast Asia’s art market gathers serious global momentum, ART SG 2026 positions Singapore not just as a regional hub, but as a strategic entry point for art collectors looking to engage early with Southeast Asia’s contemporary talents. Returning to Marina Bay Sands from January 22 to 25, the fourth edition of the fair brings together 106 galleries from over 30 countries, pairing heavyweight international names such as White Cube and Thaddaeus Ropac with the region’s most compelling contemporary voices like Yeo Workshop and Haridas Contemporary. This edition also marks a pivotal shift: for the first time, S.E.A. Focus—the leading curated platform for Southeast Asian contemporary art—will be presented within ART SG itself, creating a concentrated, curatorially rigorous environment for discovery.

For collectors, the timing is persuasive. Southeast Asian artists are gaining institutional recognition, global exposure is accelerating, and yet prices remain comparatively approachable, offering a rare window of opportunity. From established regional galleries such as Ames Yavuz, Richard Koh Fine Art, Sullivan+Strumpf, Gajah Gallery and STPI to tightly curated sectors spotlighting emerging artists, ART SG 2026 is designed to remove intimidation while sharpening discernment. The fair’s expanding program—including new performance commissions, large-scale installations, institutional collaborations and the ART SG Futures Prize presented by UBS, awarding $10,000 to an outstanding up-and-coming artist featured in the Futures sector—reinforces its role not merely as a marketplace, but as a guide. For buyers navigating Southeast Asian contemporary art, ART SG offers both context and confidence, before wider international attention inevitably shifts the market. Shuyin Yang, Fair Director of ART SG, tells us more.

Why should a collector start buying Southeast Asian contemporary art?

Asia’s potential is immense, with each region bringing distinct characteristics and strengths to the global stage. Singapore’s cultural landscape alone exemplifies this dynamism: its world-class museums, thriving commercial galleries and growing community of collectors reflect rapid development. Beyond Singapore, Southeast Asia as a whole is the center of remarkable cultural production. Collecting Southeast Asian contemporary art means more than just acquiring pieces; it directly supports the region’s artistic ecosystem, enabling local artists to gain visibility alongside their international counterparts. While the regional market is earning increasing global recognition, it is still on the rise, presenting an opportunity for savvy collectors to enter at an advantageous moment.

Many newcomers to collecting feel daunted by the art fair environment. At ART SG, Southeast Asia’s biggest contemporary art fair, what are some of the most important things a first-time collector of Southeast Asian art should focus on when walking the fair for the first time?

At ART SG, we’re committed to reducing intimidation for those who might feel self-conscious or hesitant to ask questions. The fair was designed to be accessible to all audiences, including first-time collectors, by ensuring a benchmark of quality while demystifying the collecting process. For the first time this year, Southeast Asian contemporary art platform S.E.A. Focus will be held within ART SG, offering another wonderful entry point for new collectors to gain access to the best of art from the region.

Should a first-timer do their own research first, or allow a cooldown period rather than proceed with an impulsive buy?

As for purchasing, remember that there is no pressure. Many collectors appreciate the opportunity to reflect before making a decision, and galleries are often happy to continue the conversation beyond the fair. At the end of the day, ART SG is meant to be a platform for facilitating meaningful dialog between collectors, artists and galleries, creating relationships that extend well beyond the event itself.

How important are factors such as provenance, artist’s exhibition history, gallery representation and fair participation when buying a first Southeast Asian artwork—and how do you advise first-timers to assess these?

These factors are crucial because they establish a benchmark of quality that helps collectors make informed decisions. At ART SG, we employ a rigorous selection process for galleries applying to the fair, which filters for these important markers. Gallery representation matters significantly; we showcase respected galleries with strong core programs recognized globally. These are galleries genuinely invested in nurturing artists’ practices in the long term, instead of simply transacting work, giving you confidence in the support behind the artist. An artist’s exhibition history also provides valuable context, particularly for emerging artists. For instance, we would look out for artists whom curators have already been championing through museum exhibitions and biennales, signaling broader institutional recognition of their work. Fairs, on the other hand, serve as powerful platforms for exchange and exposure. Participation in a major fair like ART SG can be transformative for young artists, bringing them to the attention of international institutions and collectors, therefore expanding their reach beyond regional boundaries and validating their market trajectory.

With S.E.A. Focus joining ART SG in 2026, the fair becomes an even more powerful showcase for Southeast Asian talent. How do you see this new synergy opening up opportunities and access for first-time collectors who want to get in early on the region’s most exciting contemporary artists before wider international attention drives prices up?

The organization and presentation of S.E.A. Focus at ART SG starting in 2026 creates the optimal, concentrated entry point for first-time collectors interested in Southeast Asian contemporary art. This synergy is a powerful advantage: it leverages ART SG’s global audience and market reach with S.E.A. Focus’ curatorial rigor and regional focus. This dual vetting process acts as a crucial quality filter, granting newcomers significantly easier access to high-quality work already recognized by regional curators and institutions—the strongest early indicators of future value. Furthermore, the single-venue format simplifies the experience, lowers intimidation and allows for efficient comparison of regional and international contemporary art side-by-side.

By concentrating the best regional galleries and emerging talent in one place—through platforms like our Futures sector and S.E.A. Focus’ considered selections—we’re amplifying visibility for young practitioners at a crucial moment in their careers. First-time collectors benefit directly from the global press and institutional interest this combined event generates. By presenting ART SG and S.E.A. Focus within the same platform, we create the optimal conditions for discovery, ensuring curatorial quality, institutional validation and market accessibility are all delivered in one place.