Chloe Chiu is a collector with a keen eye for Japanese pop and street art. This may be somewhat of a surprise considering she grew up following her father—a well-known Chinese imperial antiques collector—around China’s auction markets during the 1990s. Perhaps this willingness to try something new and unexpected is part of Chloe’s character. Although having trained to be a doctor and engineer, she pursued further studies and a career in finance, but then left it all to join the art world, becoming actively involved in auction sales, galleries, and museum activities as well as internet art startups. Her collection includes big names like Nara, Kusama and Murakami, some of which are set to be on view in an upcoming group show organized by Chloe in Singapore.
LARRY’S LIST spoke with Chloe about her motivation for setting up her non-profit organization Onfinitive Art Foundation, her interest in the Singapore art market, what she takes into consideration before making a purchase, her struggles in keeping her collection focused, and three emerging artists to watch out for.
Collecting
What made you want to start collecting art? What is the main motivation behind your collecting?
My father is a well-known Chinese imperial antiques collector and one of the earliest and most active participants of China’s auction market since the early 90s. Although we chose different categories, the market behaviors behind are mostly the same, but contemporary art is much simpler.
I like to live with the art that I like. Some works make me happy, and some may give me some peace inside when things go south in life. There are a bunch of paintings and sculptures inside both my apartment and workshop, and I like to change them every now and then.
When the works you like can turn out to be profitable after couple of years, it just gives collecting more perks.
What is your focus regarding the artists in your collection? Are you more interested in emerging or renowned artists, local or international?
I started with Yoshitomo Nara, Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, these renowned Japanese artists. As time goes by, I’m still trying to be focused, but the more artists I get to know and the more works I see, the more difficult I find it to stay focused in certain areas.
I cannot say I’m more interested in emerging or renowned artists, local or international. I guess it is better to say that I’m more interested in works that strike chords with me and in colors that make my family happy. When it comes to the decision to purchase, interest is not the only drive.
What was the first artwork you purchased? What was the last?
The first is a canvas collage on a plate by Yoshitomo Nara, bought from Christie’s auction. I’ve been looking for an oil painting by Izumi Kato and recently just bought one from Sotheby’s.
How many artworks do you own?
Around 100, big and small.
Where do you display your collection?
At home, and I have a storage space/private workshop in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.
Have you ever presented your art collection publicly?
Previously, I loaned some works to museums and organizations but have never presented them as a whole collection.
Is there any kind of artwork that can make you write a cheque without any consideration?
When I like the image or the concept of a work and the price is under 50k USD.
When the asking price is high, I need to consider if it fits in my collection, how the market outlook seems, etc.
What is your most treasured artwork?
My taste may change over time, but I treasure all the works I liked at the time. At the moment, and it has been a while, I like the work “Rock You” by Yoshitomo Nara the most.
What is your biggest regret regarding collecting?
That I didn’t start collecting earlier when Nara’s and Kusama’s works were more affordable. Despite going to auction houses with my father since I was little, I didn’t start collecting until after I quit my job as an analyst in an asset management firm in 2013.
How important is it for you to meet the artists who created the artwork?
It is not quite relevant to me. Meeting the artists before purchasing sometimes adds credit and sometimes doesn’t, even opposite.
Do you rely on art advisors or how do you make your decisions concerning purchases?
No. I may ask around for opinions from family and friends, and not limit such discussions to art advisors. But when it comes to writing the check, it’s my money, my decision.
Onfinitive Art Foundation and current exhibition
What was your motivation for setting up Onfinitive Art Foundation? What are the organization’s goals?
To be honest, I found it very difficult to negotiate with galleries. So, when my workshop had a refit, I thought now I have a place to display my collection and probably “pretending” to be an organization would make things easier.
I’d like to support art education in Hong Kong, since I have two young kids going to international school here. I’m open to the idea of supporting emerging artists through art residencies, exhibitions, etc.
How does Onfinitive Art Foundation contribute to the Hong Kong art scene and Asian art scene more broadly?
Although I wasn’t thinking big when I started the foundation, I am starting to see there are opportunities to use my foundation to support artists and arts education in the region. I hope that as my knowledge grows, I can contribute more.
You are also organizing an exhibition of Japanese “NIJIGEN-HA” artists in Singapore, including established names like Murakami and Nara as well as young emerging artists. Could you tell us more about the theme, the participating artists, and why you’ve chosen Singapore as the location?
Singapore as location
I have been living in Beijing and Hong Kong for years and my collection is mostly focused on Japan, so I already have some knowledge of these big Asian cities. But Singapore is still unknown to me compared with the others. I want to explore more about this popular destination, not just by being a tourist, but doing business here. What is the art market really like here? What do Singaporean audiences respond to? Could my collection find a home here? By putting on this group show, I hope to gain a greater insight and make some long-term connections in the Singaporean art scene.
The theme of this exhibition
The idea of doing an exhibition in Singapore has been in my mind for a while. I had been talking with some galleries, and then I met Ms. Kutsuna Miwa during Art Basel Hong Kong this year. She, as a curator, has been promoting some emerging artists and the concept of “Nijigen-Ha” for a while in Japan. “Nijigen-Ha” means “two-dimensional trend” and it refers to “Japanese things,” especially pop culture, like games, anime, fashion, design and art. My collection’s focus meeting a renowned Japanese curator— the idea of this exhibition just hit off.
The participating artists
I will be showing some of my collection including Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami. These big names will be put in the same space as some emerging Japanese artists selected by Ms. Kutsuna. They are all self-taught and come from other pop culture fields, including Masato Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Mori, BYNAM, and Bell Nakai.
The Art World
What was your happiest moment being involved in art?
Finally getting the work I’ve been chasing after.
What is your art-world pet peeve?
Dishonesty.
Who inspires you in the art world?
My dad. Chinese antiques and contemporary art are quite different at first sight, but they share aesthetics and market dynamics. He is more experienced in the art market, and he is the one who always shares the bloody truth with me.
How are you discovering new artists these days?
Instagram and like-minded friends.
What is your preferred way to exchange with other collectors?
I never buy/sell directly from other collectors. When other collectors and I like similar artworks, it is easy for us to become friends. We exchange ideas before auctions, and we talk about recent acquisitions.
What is your advice to young and fresh collectors?
Spend money wisely, see more and ask more before making the decision.
Can you name three emerging artists who should be on our watchlist?
There are too many emerging artists out there, I cannot say who should be on your watchlist. And I’m not sure how we should define emerging artists. But of all the works I bought recently, Mia Middleton, Nokukhanya Langa, and Vickie Vainionpaa—their works are nice and not expensive.
Exhibition “Neo Japan: Pop Art Explored”
Date: 2 – 8 August 2023
Time: 10am – 6pm daily, except Sunday 6th Aug is 3pm – 8.30pm
Venue: Artspace@Helutrans | 39 Keppel Road, #01-05 Distripark, Singapore 089065
Opening Reception with artists in attendance: Wednesday 2nd August, 6 – 8.30pm
Related: Onfinitive Art Foundation
Instagram: @onfinitive.art, @chloechiu121
A selection of artists Chloe collects:
Izumi Kato
Nokukhanya Langa
MADSAKI
Yoshitomo Nara
Ayako Rokkaku
By Jamie Bennett
